Odessa Cathedral, July 2023

Poem by John Lampen

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.

The Fourth Seal opened, the pale horse is ridden
over the lives of children in the mud.
In our cruel age the miracles are hidden
and powers prevail whose currency is blood.

How can I fear no evil in this valley,
its threatening shadows, foetid air and grime?
How can I pray when, automatically,
my best intentions turn to pantomime?

And if we shout to heaven the question Why?
we only hear the echo of our cry.

John says: ‘Odessa is a beautiful city which I have often visited; I have many friends there. The Orthodox Cathedral was severely damaged by a Russian missile attack on 23 July 2023.’

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