Tag: Ukraine

Unwelcome

.

Shame of a nation

where process trumps compassion

you are not welcome

.

by Scooj

* I am utterly disgusted by and ashamed of our government and the disgraceful way they have conducted themselves with the visa system for Ukrainian refugees. As a UK citizen I feel tarnished with their appalling indifference and lack of urgency for a European crisis. They do not speak for me or reflect my views.

Brexit was meant to free us from bureaucratic processes and allow us to be fleet of foot. Hah! Just like everything else to do with Brexit, it is a myth. The conservatives are playing to the nationalist sentiment in their party and voters, who don’t want any kind of immigration. It is disgusting. The sooner we have a more compassionate and honest government the better.

I am so ashamed to be British.

4284. M32 roundabout J3 (388)

A week or two back , Billy and Merny had a great time painting a few spots. I love it when these two get together as their naive style shines a bright light on the incredible diversity of art in Bristol. Their work is always full of messages and commentary, usually reflecting the contemporary political landscape.

Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2022
Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2022

This piece would seem to be a dove of peace, and perhaps the colours selected represent both Ukraine and Russia, locked in an horrific war of dictator Putin’s making. It is the written message that is so powerful in this piece, recognising that these are dark times and that the National mood is low. Billy simply says ‘I hope you are ok’. I hope we are ok too.

What’s the point

.

Twice I have heard this,

putting things into context

sense of proportion

.

by Scooj

Invasion

.

I can’t shut it out

no matter how hard I try

fear, worry, loss, hope

.

by Scooj

Dirty money

.

Talk of dirty cash

by those that have gained from it

difficult to take

.

by Scooj

Broken-hearted

.
The tempo of the moment

I drag my feet behind me

slow, slow, quick, quick, slow

a leaden, broken-hearted, tango

.

Newsbeats punctuate the day

fuelling my impotence

wading through treacle

a saddened, broken-hearted, people

.

Generation’s legacy

it’s as if we’ve learned nothing

and Putin’s disdain

fragmented, broken-hearted, Ukraine

.

by Scooj

* I always feel it is a bit of a risk writing poetry like this. I don’t have a particularly highly developed skill for it, but I just wrote the words on a notepad, and, well, I’m sharing them. I am struggling to come to terms with the war in Ukraine, but it is only one of several defining moments of our time which have been handled rather badly… Climate crisis, biodiversity crisis, COVID-19, nationalism and war. What a bloody mess.

Cloak

.

Darkness surrounds us

a thick veil over Europe

light of peace snuffed out

.

by Scooj

On the brink

.

Macho posturing

east and west beating their chest

on the brink of war

.

by Scooj

Trussed up

.

Diplomatic farce

utterly out of her depth

fur-coated Liz Truss

.

by Scooj

Quarter final

.

We’re drawn together

a collective ambition

England and Saint George

.

by Scooj