Letters to Saint Nicholas - Shura Strila (UA)

Saint Nicholas is an ancient Christian figure, known in Ukraine since the times of Kyivan Rus. He is associated not just with gifts, but with spirituality, hope, and protection. Children write letters to him, and families keep the tradition: December 6–7 is a festive night. This year, many children had to spend that night in shelters, with seemingly endless air raid alarms. --------------- St. Nicholas sat still, his face in hands, He’d read a sack of letters, maybe more… And couldn’t grasp, or even understand, What children’s wishes now were asking for. They didn’t plead for toys or sweets this year, Not for the dreams they once had held so tight. “Please, Nicholas… just close the sky down here!” — Their trembling voices crying through the night. He read of blasts, of ruins cold and bare… Each letter burned with hope and quiet cries. But how, dear children of Ukraine, could he prepare A peaceful world to pull from his supplies? How bring a home back — house or flat or room? A city snowing ash instead of white? How lift a father from beneath the tomb? How many more lie hidden from the light… Where find a mother lost to smoke and flame? Where bring back parents torn from little hands? He feared to go to children, felt the shame — These tiny ones with souls that understand. So Nicholas turned toward God in silent plea, And told Him all the wishes children send. “The one they need the most is Victory — And I will help them all, till war will end.”