Brave men stay to fight
brave women flee their homeland
Brave, bewildered children
cling to their mother’s hand 

Train station platforms
cannot hold one person more
Comparable to scenes
from the Second World War 

Harrowing images 
edited black and white 
People seeking safety 
congregate day and night 

On the westbound platforms
they huddle together 
In harsh conditions
and bitter winter weather 

Hoping to board trains 
to unknown destinations
They flee to safety 
with minimum possessions 

This black and white image
tells the news of today 
As those brave souls of Ukraine
choose to leave or stay