Bonfires Of Liberty

Bonfires Of Liberty
© Surazeus
2026 03 20

Thoughtlessly amused at how river stones 
float in the sky above houses and cars, 
Katya hides under the living room desk 
when drones drop bombs on people at the school 
getting fresh water and food for the night, 
who dance around bonfires of liberty. 

Running outside to see the school on fire, 
Katya watches Jesus and Mazda fight 
for world domination on hill of skulls 
while children watch videos of baby goats 
hopping about the yard with playful fun, 
and dance around bonfires of liberty. 

Tugging at door of the silver sedan, 
Katya helps the woman with mangled arm 
stumble away before her car explodes 
with her son, his wife, and kids stuck inside, 
while teenagers at music festivals 
still dance around bonfires of liberty. 

Cradling head of the woman on her lap, 
Katya tips bottle of water with care, 
but the woman coughs up blood on her dress, 
and asks her if she has met someone yet, 
because her nephews work hard on the farm 
to dance around bonfires of liberty. 

Helplessly singing sad hymn of salvation 
to guide her spirit to the Other World, 
Katya smooths hair of the woman with grace, 
and trembles as she caresses her face, 
then covers her body with tattered coat 
to dance around bonfires of liberty. 

Stumbling dazed on the road past bombed-out homes, 
Katya approaches Church of Saint Askold, 
kneels before statue of Mother Mariya, 
and prays for souls of people killed by bombs 
who must wander confused in streets of smoke 
to dance around bonfires of liberty. 

Wail of baby boy thirsty for fresh milk 
startles Katya from reverie of prayer, 
so she cradles him in her trembling arms 
and hums as he suckles milk from her heart, 
and their eyes become the sky and the sea 
that dance around bonfires of liberty. 

Wandering along the Dnipro River shore, 
Katya explains to Ilya with hawk eyes 
secret riddles about meaning of trees 
while drones zip above canopy of leaves 
unable to spot shadows of their souls 
which dance around bonfires of liberty.