Offensive

Roll camouflaged cannon, atop manned.
ride the encrusted tank trail
from one occupied hamlet to the next
ride the turret, a brave stand
this weapon, modified by history
its firepower, still challenged
by enemy fire until overrun

a regional target beckons
its inhabitants shouted
"Kherson is with Ukraine"
before sham elections at gunpoint
forcing civilians out to vote...
but a reckoning will come
just as the one that set Ukraine
free from a Soviet past
as enemy hoodlum leaders
count moments of shame
in their forceful dealings.
saying no to defeat,
til their arms be eradicated.

Yellow and blue once more waves,
as Villagers stand by their gates
greeting liberators with cornmeal cakes
their men in green, on tank carved trails
gateways to a larger port city
needs to be freed
its illegal captor must run away
save its life
resign in defeat
leave this region and return to a pariah land
allowing  a kleptocracy to root
state faith approving  
bent on maintaining foreign atrocities
through surrogates
and ethic cannon fodder.

Blue and yellow flags fly high again
villagers stand by
as your liberator rolls in
the enemy will to continue to run
and hide in shame.