I recall.

When Russia and Ukraine began their war.

I recall.

The song of Vladimir’s conquest.

When he whispered falsehood into his nation

I recall.

When Ukraine captured Russian soldiers

And fed them kindness.

I recall when the world stood still.

And held a prayer for Ukraine.

But I also recall.

A herd of Syrians

Stranded on the streets and battered by cold.

I recall how they begged for food.

I recall how they knocked on the borders.

The borders of the western countries.

I recall how the West turned away its heads.

Shot them with rubber bullets and pepper spray.

I would never forget how they tossed them aside.

As if vile toxic waste,

How can I forget when they sent them away?

Away into other countries that also rejected them.

Some even built walls around themselves.

Just to never even gaze upon them.

I recall. 

The starving children. The hungry families

Yet 

I remember Ukraine.

His children were fed and given shelter.

How can you forget about Poland?

He said he had no place for Syrians.

But when Ukraine knocked,

His country was suddenly an empty field.

I won’t forget what Bulgaria said.

“Ukrainians are intelligent, so it’s different.”

So the others are painted as wild and savage.

Ohh. 

I remember that once happened before.

During slave ships and colonization.

When the west saw Africans as nothing but savage.

So don’t forget.