For Gleb and Katya 

 Ah, you make a tale of the 21st Century 

as Ivan tries to obliterate your country 

some buildings of beauty 

some buildings pedestrian  

housing, just ordinary 

crushed like an old clay jug 

Wei-Wei the Chinese potter 

claimed notoriety 

smashing two ancient ones 

shocking everyone 

to his recognition 

the two of you 

in the oldest trades  

warrior, a ceramicist 

defender and creator 

when you have driven 

those obeying orders of the Kremel 

fall away from unhindered 

the new thoughts given 

create a fire in your kiln 

that works both clay and glaze 

to an unseen sheen 

that defends and trys out 

what you work 

you will go together 

to create new life, new work 

that tells the world 

that the old invader 

cannot have Ukraine 

Kendall Merriam, Home, October 20, 2022 

Listening to silence.