This Is Not The Olympics

487 Ukrainian athletes were killed by the Russians before the Olympics began

I did not go into my forest today, did not watch the squirrels jump from tree to tree.

Ukrainian rower Alla Kovieriene was killed on 10 August 2023 by enemy artillery fire near Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, while performing a combat mission

I did not hear the birds chirping high in the branches.

Maksym Kahal (1991–2022) Ukrainian kickboxer, and National Guard, winning medals at Ukrainian and world level. Participated in the Euromaidan. Died heroically defending Mariupol on 25/03/2022 aged 30

And did not watch the magical, silent swans glide by in the lake.

Kyrylo Bayev, Ukrainian athlete, martial artist, died on the 14 January 2023 aged 21 while defending Ukraine

Of acorns I saw none.

Roman Ilyashenko (1991–2014) Ukrainian free-fighter and soldier and a national champion in his sport. Died at Ilovaisk on 29/08/2014 aged 23 after the Russians shelled the “humanitarian corridor”

Nor my favourite saplings did I check on, to see how they were, if still struggling to grow.

Vitalij Zalizniak (1973–2023), Ukrainian footballer with a long career at several clubs including Mariupol. He died fighting the genocidal Russian invaders on 3 December 2023

I did not seek respite from the heat under the shadow of the ancient oak tree.