Refugees
by Jamie Gibson
Home.
Sitting by a cackling fire, talking to your family.
A place that is yours.
A place to stay safe.
Safety that everyone has.
Or do they?
Think.
For a second, for a minute.
About being in a position.
About endangering yourself.
You either flee or risk it all.
Would you want this to be you?
America.
Home of the brave, land of the free.
Accepting of race.
Accepting of religion.
Scared of ‘problems’ that refugees may cause.
Does that sound brave to you?
Very thought-provoking, well done!
ReplyDeleteThe morally correct answers to questions such as these should seem clear to anyone that is asked them, though unfortunately, we are still surrounded by a great number of bigots who view this "issue" as exactly that. An issue--or a "problem"--as you put it. This piece makes me wonder if there is something that our youth could be doing to aid those that are fleeing here to what they believe to be a "better" society in a few different ways, but are met with stony faces and immense opposition.
Perhaps that's something to look into?
Well done.
The structure you establish for the poem is so effective! The use of just one word in the first line of each stanza grabs the reader’s attention, and ending with a question forces the reader to think. The short, direct rhythm of the poem really packs a punch because it commands attention. The last two lines were most powerful to me because they're so passionate.
ReplyDeleteI like all the contrast in this poem. It really does a good job in highlighting the experience of refugees and the comforts that we can sometimes take for granted. Like Celeste said, the one word lines to begin each stanza establish a powerful focus that guides the reader through the stanza.
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie;
ReplyDeleteI thoroghly enjoyed reading your piece entitled "Refugees" I found your use of words Like "Home" 'Think" and "America at the beginning of each Stanza to be very creative.I found your use of the line :"America the home of the Brave",and land of the Free" followed by the closing line:"Scared by the problems that Refugees may cause Does that sound brave to you"? to be very powerful. I think that your poem is relevant to some of the issues that are county faces today . Powerful Piece.