second-hand bookstore
a blue and yellow candle
lit in the corner
© Xenia Tran
Haiku Dialogue, The Haiku Foundation, 9 March 2022
It is heart-breaking to see what is happening in the world today because of one man’s fear of open and honest conversation.
It is heart-warming to see how many of us are working together for peace and freedom at the same time.
Yesterday’s visit of friendship to Kyiv by the Prime Ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia and Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister hopefully marks another step on the road to peace.
When you look more closely at the actions taken by people in support of peace for Ukraine, they all come from a place of kindness and compassion. Each and every one of these actions make a statement and make a difference.
Last Monday I signed an Open Letter (organised by The Society of Authors) to the writers, illustrators and translators of Ukraine expressing our solidarity. When I looked at the signatures more closely, I noticed that the name above mine was almost the same as my late grandmother’s. She was nearly 101 years old and lived through two World Wars.
Had she been alive today, I’m sure she would have signed the Open Letter too.
Wishing for peace and freedom in Ukraine and wishing you all a blessed Wednesday,
with love from Xenia xxx
Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.
Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #190: Close and Closer
Word of the Day Challenge: Statement
Tranature 
Beautiful, Xenia! Heartbroken, we are all watching and waiting.
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Thank you kindly dear Laurie, there has been so much suffering here. We are all praying for peace 🙏💜🕊 xxx
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Beautiful post, Xenia 💕 🙏🏽 for peace 🙏🏽 xxx
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Cathy 💕🙏💕 Much love from our house to yours 🤗💕🐕 xxx
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And much love to you all from our house 💕🐕💕xxx
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Thank you Cathy 💕🐕💕 xxx
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It is heartwarming to read your post, Xenia. So many kind people, and the one over 101 years old….
Thank you for the link.
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Amy, she was an amazing woman 💗🙏 xxx
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beautiful photo. i love the candle
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Bella 💜 xxx
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We are all with you 100% Xenia, and all wish we could do more.
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Tina, it means so much to everyone there to know they’re not alone 💞💜💞 xxx
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Praying for peace. ❤
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Thank you kindly dear Eliza 🕊💜 xxx
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Some place inside me is a little candle like this that believes that the small help and kindness coming to Ukraine from around the world will change something. I don’t know how, but… ❤
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Martha, I believe that too. Knowing others are with you in spirit is something we can all feel at a soul level and brings us closer together in times like these 💞💜💞🙏 xxx
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I’ve rented AirBNBs in Ukraine. Hearing from the individuals whose places I rented — good god. I don’t even know where the people actually ARE only that maybe in some very small way I might have made things easier for them. ❤
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Aww that is wonderful Martha, it will make a difference and provide them with much needed income 💜 xxx
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Beautiful words dear Xenia. That candle burns as a beacon of hope. I cannot give up on hope. Hope for peace and hope for an end to this ghastly war.
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Anne, it’s so important to keep this flame of hope and peace alive 💛🕊 xxx
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A beautiful and poignant wish
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Karina 💛
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Beautiful photos, even more beautiful thoughts. My parents were WWII veterans. They would be beyond appalled at current events. It must stop.
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear John, I can imagine how your parents would feel if they could see what is happening now. It has to stop and we support all peaceful, humanitarian and diplomatic actions to create peace and freedom for Ukraine 🙏🕊
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Praying for peace 🙏
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Thank you kindly dear Donna 💛🙏
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Beautiful dear Xenia, You brought us all together with the same feelings and thoughts with all your sensitivity and your kind-hearted touches. I do hope and wish all these steps to work and to stop the war… This is an inhumane event that does not suit the 21st century. Voice and power of the”Peace” should be raising from everywhere in the world. You did great. Thank you, Love, nia
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Nia 🌹 It is heart-warming to see people from all corners of the world sending a message of peace and doing whatever they can to help. Thank you for your prayers too and much love from our house to yours 🙏💖🕊 xxx
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Lovely images, Xenia and your poem is so eloquent. I share your hope that the conflict/war in Ukraine ends soon. It’s such a tragedy.
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Patti, may peace and freedom return to Ukraine soon 💜🕊 xxx
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Yes.
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