WAR Poem: A Soldier’s Psalm from Donbas, by Francis Mandeville

Inspired by Psalm 135

Accept,
this broken plea, dear Lord,
who saved me once more,
a poor, forlorn, mud-caked soldier,
whose anchor, deep in this trench, is You.

O God, You reign!
My spirit cries to You
all day long.
Your cover fire,
a stream of grace.

In my lowly foxhole,
deep in Donbas’ cold soil,
my slow, quiet prayer, You heard,
and shouted Your orders,
they were followed.

Unrivaled King,
beyond all compare,
sovereign through ageless ages,
through time without end.

That all the nations
shall adore Your fair face,
praise Your name.
But now, O gracious Lord,
lead me home.

Teach my feet to march –
Your true way,
Your love, an iron dome,
shields me with Your grace,
from the chilly, deep grave
You drew me through.

Hurry Up! Get Angry!
Save Ukraine from their dark foe,
Let Russia, a dire-wolf, go extinct,
Then rise anew, its rule made true,
Forever bound and one with You.