In The Land Where Sunflowers Grow Poem by Jim Yerman

It is appropriate and certainly relevant once we ascertained
why the sunflower is the national flower in the country of Ukraine

With Russia attempting to take away Ukraine's freedoms…knocking on its door…Ukraine needs their sunflowers more today than they've ever needed them before.

Sunflowers are one of God's creations which, notwithstanding the beauty they release, are a symbol of happiness, optimism, devotion, longevity and peace.

Sunflowers, however, cannot fight in wars they do not participate in the killing of fathers, mothers, daughters and sons…for that man has created planes and bombs, and knives…tanks and missiles and guns.

But the sunflower can remind us all…as we watch Ukrainians fighting an enemy with many more soldiers and many more guns…that even on the darkest day…you can stand tall and find the sun.

And that's just what Ukraine is doing…standing tall as Russia attacks on the ground and through the air…you can see it in Ukrainian women soldiers who wear sunflowers in their hair.

Who know they are outnumbered…out-gunned but still they march into this confrontation….Fighting so save their country today…and for future generations….

Fighting to defend their lands…their rivers and their seas…
so that sunflowers can continue to grow in a country that is free.

I only hope my prayers and the prayers of the world can help turn away this barbarous foe…and once again bring peace and happiness to the land where sunflowers grow.