Published May 15th, 2025
Under 25 Poetry Contest #9 – First Place
by Anna Lozinska
Growing up in a middle class family,
where the curtains were always drawn,
I was taught, that to keep my sanity,
I should choose to exist withdrawn.
Every conflict with righteous dignity
you approach as a leader and saint,
disregarding your lack of affinity,
diplomatically, and without complaint.
And I took this knowledge earnestly,
stuffed my stomach with cotton balls,
then we watched television nervously,
and I witnessed my very first corpse.
What's a child to think of an evening,
when her mother silently cries?
How should she interpret the meaning
of the streets being filled with crowds?
They ate ice cream there last Sunday,
but the stand is now gone in flames.
She will have to find them someway –
explanations for fists and not claims.
Why are those men's hands so bloody?
Why the screams and the smoky air?
Will those pavements forever be ruddy?
Will mom take me again to the square?
With a week of the winter remaining
mother took me across, to the hills.
Not to teach but to carve an engraving –
For our future and freedom we kill.
How can she, who so feared confrontation,
look around with such primal rage?
Peoples voice – resonated vibration,
just turned over our history's page.
I saw buildings in soot, with no windows,
laid some flowers to honour the dead.
Since that year I have lived on my tip toes,
with persistent unease, fearing threat.
I'm aware it may never get better,
yet I'm full, and I'm grateful, and strong.
Nothing ever would make me forget her –
Revolution is where I belong!
Note: This poem refers to the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity, that happened in winter 2013 - 2014.
It was, at its core, a fight for our freedom and independence, and a loud proclamation of our wish to head in a progressive direction.
That winter, 108 civilians were killed by the law enforcement forces and to this day they are remembered as heroes.
About the Poet
Anna Lozinska resides in Eching, Bavaria, Germany.
Read the poet's biography on Anna Lozinska's Artist Page.
Next in Wax Mag #7:
Resolution and Other Poems
Poems by Gary Beck
Back to Wax Mag #7
Wax Poetry and Art Magazine is part of the Wax Poetry and Art Network.
- Visit the main Wax Poetry and Art Submissions Page to see all opportunities.
- Visit the Wax Poetry and Art Library.
- This website and all contents ©Kirk Ramdath and specified artists.
(Advertisements)