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Vyacheslav Konoval is a Ukrainian poet whose work is devoted to the most pressing social problems of our time, such as poverty, ecology, relations between the people and the government, and war. His poems have appeared in many magazines, including Anarchy Anthology Archive, International Poetry Anthology, Literary Waves Publishing, Sparks of Kaliopa, and many others.

Vyacheslav Konoval

A patriot in a bulletproof vest

Asian tigress,
and a brave Kazakh kitty,

purrs quietly sneak up,
meanwhile fear of enemies
as the holiday approaches.

Body armor factory
fragile girl built
national glory and honor
You, Madina, deserve it.

Volunteer veterans

A battalion is born
from former police officers,
wear a chevron
take the patch and medallion.

Training ahead
blood, sweat, and loss,
shame, I’m in a warm bed.

As small children, we played war

Wooden bow, arrows, and gun
the knife is near a belt,
once, our childhood was full of fun.

We ran through the fields
with a village’s neighbor
taking a sword, a painted shield
without adult worries and labor.

Time has passed
harsh life befell our fate,
Russian missile strikes are mass,
the heart cherishes pain, I hate…

— Vyacheslav Konoval

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