Odessa Cathedral, July 2023

Poem by John Lampen

by John Lampen 8th September 2023

The rash of wounded cities spreads across
the map; I walk Odessa in my mind
once more, to join a festival of loss,
of torn-up friendships in a poisoned land.

Into this sacred space we came together
with knees which faithful bent, with lips which kissed
the antique ikon of our Holy Mother.
Smoke now and dust profane the eucharist.