Ukraine

Photograph: Andrew Kravchenko/Reuters

first published  Poetry24

In the middle of the night they came,

posing as protectors,

with unmarked uniform and face hidden,

they told us to surrender.

Hand over your weapons!

- But what are we to do? -

Weapons are for enemies

and we thought they were friends.

Now we are re-branded,

the cleansing begins,

and they put Cain against Abel

turn friend against friend.

The bully once more

is outside the gate

and the strong boys inside

consider old schoolboy debate.

                                                                                                         © niall oconnor 2014

The body of a Ukrainian policeman is seen covered on the ground outside a police headquarters after Ukrainian forces attempt to drive out pro-Russian militants in Mariupol, May 9, 2014. 
REUTERS/Marko Djurica