We see them every day, the headline news and on our screens,
Those people fleeing tyranny by any ways and means,
Then landing on the shores and borders weak and in distress,
Hoping that some kindly souls will help them gain redress.
But there are those too ill-disposed to give them any thought,
Who simply say, “It’s not my charge. ‘Cause, your lot is your lot.
“Go home and work it out,” they say. “Don’t clutter up our land!”
Then turn away from those in need—ignoring outstretched hands.
Who simply say, “It’s not my charge. ‘Cause, your lot is your lot.
“Go home and work it out,” they say. “Don’t clutter up our land!”
Then turn away from those in need—ignoring outstretched hands.
We have been blessed to grow up in a land that’s free and clean,
Choose what to do in life. And set our very own routines,
And do those people want to take those things that we call ‘mine’?
Or do they simply want to work for something just as fine?
Choose what to do in life. And set our very own routines,
And do those people want to take those things that we call ‘mine’?
Or do they simply want to work for something just as fine?
There’s something I’ve been thinking of for quite a little while…
What would it take for me to grab a suitcase and my child?
And flee forever all I know and all that I hold dear?
I have to say it’d need to be a ‘something’ very drear.
What would it take for me to grab a suitcase and my child?
And flee forever all I know and all that I hold dear?
I have to say it’d need to be a ‘something’ very drear.
Our own ancestors fled their lands so many years ago,
And they were taken in by friendly hearts and hands and souls,
Just where, I ask, would we be if rejected when they asked?
When they were fleeing tyranny in generations past.
And they were taken in by friendly hearts and hands and souls,
Just where, I ask, would we be if rejected when they asked?
When they were fleeing tyranny in generations past.
We have so much, our land is wide, we’ve plenty and to spare,
For sure we have enough that we could help and we could share,
So maybe we should think of that before we turn away,
And with compassion look into those anxious eyes today.
For sure we have enough that we could help and we could share,
So maybe we should think of that before we turn away,
And with compassion look into those anxious eyes today.
 |
| Photo Credit: Karen of bakinginatornado.com |
Cause Mondays do get knocked a lot,
With poetry, we all besought
To try to make the week begin
With gentle thoughts,
Perhaps a grin?
So Karen, Charlotte, Mimi, me
Have crafted poems for you to see.
And now you’ve read what we have wrought…
Did we help?
Or did we not?
With poetry, we all besought
To try to make the week begin
With gentle thoughts,
Perhaps a grin?
So Karen, Charlotte, Mimi, me
Have crafted poems for you to see.
And now you’ve read what we have wrought…
Did we help?
Or did we not?
Next week, we shall celebrate
The Birthday song! I cannot wait!
Thinking of joining us for Poetry Monday?
We'd love to welcome you!
Topics for the next few weeks (with a huge thank-you to Mimi, who comes up with so many of them!)...
Topics for the next few weeks (with a huge thank-you to Mimi, who comes up with so many of them!)...
World Refugee Day (June 20) Today!
The Happy Birthday song (June 27)
Independence Day (US) or Sidewalk egg-frying day (July 4)
Loneliness (July 11)
Ice Cream (July 18)
Old Jokes (July 25)
Girlfriends (August 1)
Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Night (August 8)
Lemon Meringue Pie Day (August 15)
Be an Angel Day (August 22)
Bats -or- More Herbs, Less Salt (August 29)
Your poem was so well written. For me, my thoughts went to the 1939 voyage of the liner St. Louis, whose 900 plus Jewish passengers fleeing Nazi Germany were turned away by country after country, including the United States and Canada. They ended up having to return to Europe, and over 200 of the passengers perished in the Holocaust. Just one of many incidents in history. Any one of us could become a refugee at any moment. Yes, how would we manage? I've thought about that a number of times over the years.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful and we see these refugees everywhere today. It's heartbreaking.... Laurie
ReplyDeleteThankyou for this beautiful post today, Di.
ReplyDeleteHear, hear.
ReplyDeleteYes! So true!
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
ReplyDeleteWhile our countries cannot absorb all of humanity, we can help, and then we can work to make sure every person, in every country, has good opportunities right there without having to leave home. Until that happens, we help any way we can.
This is a down to earth poem. You say it like it is. My ancestors came from the Ukraine around 1900. The same country causing the problems now was the culprit at that time.
ReplyDeleteI always think about those poor families growing up in refugee camps, living in tents, no water, no privacy. Just big, dusty, crowded camps and wonder, what will those kids grow up to be? How broken will they be? How angry will they be that the world turned a blind eye to their demise? It makes me cry
ReplyDeleteIt tears me apart to think about what it is like from so called "caravans" in Mexico to Syrians and now Ukrainians. We must rid the world of despots.
ReplyDeleteIt pains me to see so many people, whose families only came to the US in the last 100-200 years, try to block other people running from nightmare conditions. Their own families came over in steerage, with nothing in their pockets, and just a dream of living a better life. But now they try to deny that dream to others.
ReplyDelete