Direct Connection Poem by Gert Strydom

Like no other time in history in a war
with a immediate connection to the frontline
technology acts as it never did before,
while people connect with whom they do align

by mobile telephone technology does video-chat
directly from a fire-fight and the scene,
at a time after or during the combat,
as soldiers are in lives of bravery torn between

vivid action and at times only moments of peace:
a BTR with a white flag halts in dust,
are surrounded by soldiers ready a fire-storm to release.
Somehow Russian troops do Ukrainians trust,

do as quickly as they can from a vehicle get out,
to hurry do to one of their comrades shout.

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Elsewhere a Pantsir missile system has been taken out,
it does still bright-red with giant flames burn,
another still intact did into a row of bushes turn.
From two SUV's Ukrainians who are devout

jump and to surrender a Russian commander shout,
to a resisting Russian Ukrainians do fire return,
the enemy freeze with hands high full of concern,
in some bushes nearby there are some Russians about,

who had left another Pantsir to answer nature's call,
without any weapons with hands high they appear,
their faces says that doom did them befall,
they do surrender and lie on the ground with fear.

A Ukrainian mobile phone is passed along,
the Russians smoke, know no one will do them wrong.
© Gert Strydom