She the Refugee
Introduction
Rubber made rafts and hot tractor trailers are often the vehicles carrying terrified people away from the dangers they face in their own countries. Civil wars, gang violence, and domestic abuse force many people to flee. The journey itself takes desperation to endure. The fear of bouncing around in an overcrowded raft in the middle of the ocean surrounded by the heat of the sun or the darkness of night could be enough to send someone into cardiac arrest. Rather than take the risk, many people might stay in their country and face the consequences if not for the need to save and protect their children. Imagine the relief they must feel when they are finally able to step foot on land. Unfortunately, for many the journey doesn't end there and neither does the abuse and fear. For others, they find the answer to their prayers.
She, the Refugee
She came over on a raft
Holding tears in her eyes.
She came over reluctantly
With no spirit of disguise.
In her mind, she brought sounds
Sounds of sorrowful screams
And the voice of her mother
Reciting necessary new dreams.
She came with a book
Clutched tightly in hand
Red, white, and blue letters
Announcing: The Promised Land.
In her heart, she brought memories
Of her friends left behind
And the ache of acknowledging
She'd be too hard to find.
She came in a hurry
No shoes on her feet.
She narrowly escaped
The bad men in the street.
In her soul, she brought hope
But, it harbored deep down
Beneath the arch of her laughter
And the slant of her frown.
She came into New York
A bewildered, child refugee
Pointing out to her doll
The majestic ... Statue of Liberty.
She, the Immigrant
She saw buildings still standing
No piles of rubble.
She saw smiles on faces
With no signs of trouble.
In her mind, she felt taller
Until she'd been here a while
When her differences with natives
Shrunk away her bright smile.
She saw other children stare at her
But not say a word.
She saw pictures they'd drawn
That made her look absurd.
In her heart, she felt lonely
With no one to play.
And, her loneliness grew
With each passing day.
She saw worry in the faces
Of her Mom and her Dad
And, above everything else
This made her the most sad.
In her soul, she felt broken.
Her spirit felt crushed
Until another child spoke for her
And refused to be hushed.
She saw in her new friend
What made them the same.
And, she felt more at home
When she passed out her name.
She, the American
She conquered her sadness
Her sorrow, her woe.
She conquered all the things
That made her want to go.
In her mind, she carried visions
Visions of times to foresee
Like when immigration approves them
And sets them all free.
She conquered the fear
That she'd never belong
When people stood with her
To show her she got it all wrong.
In her heart, she carried love
Love bursting with joy
And spreading without bias
From every girl and boy.
She conquered the stereotypes
The labels faded away.
She conquered the people
Who didn't want her to stay.
In her soul, she carried the strength
Of more than a dozen battles won.
She carried peace in the place
Where there once was none.
She conquered the sea
With all its white foam.
She conquered America.
It is now her home.
In 1905, these Italian children along with their mother and another sibling came into Ellis Island and waited in the luggage area looking worried because their luggage was lost.
