Ukraine

It is hard for me to imagine what it must be like to be invaded by an army the size of the Russian one. On January 6, we in the United States got a taste of what it is like to fear the overthrow of our government but it pales in comparison with what the Ukranian people are dreading.

Let me write down what the image has brought to my mind.

First and foremost it shows courage. These people are not waiting for a bus, but are ready to slow down the advance of a large army.

It is reassuring that most of them seem to have guns. Contrast that with a group of people carrying guns in the United States which does not inspire anything but fear.

The expression on the woman in the foreground says a lot. She is probably looking at the photographer because there is a tiniest hint of a smile on her face but anger and iron determination dominate. The other people show varying degrees of anger, focus and concern.

What are most of the people in the photo looking at? I hope it is not Russian soldiers advancing in the distance. Maybe it is someone rallying them with a speech modelled on the St. Crispin's Day speech in Shakespeare's play Henry V which ends with

And gentlemen in England now a-bed 
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here, 
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks 
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

It is likely that I will never know how the people in the picture fared. This is very sad. I fervently hope that they will survive and their country will honor them for their service. What a difference being thanked because you repelled a direct threat to your homeland as opposed to being thanked for ravaging a country halfway around the world from you.

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