I am a refugee

Where the singing ibis danced and flew,
And in the shade of the shedding cedar tree
I lived, happy, with my family.
But now I am a refugee
I have no home
I am alone.

My dear mother’s smile stays in my mind.
On her death, we left our home behind –
Father fearful of poverty
And bigotry of a religious kind.
But now I am a refugee
I have no home
I am alone.

Father got us on a people-trader’s boat.
Paid cash, a crumpled 500 Euro note,
For me to be free – living safe in Italy.
And for 50 euros more, an old life float.
But now I am a refugee
I have no home
I am alone.

Over a hundred drowned.
Splashing, screaming – I still hear that awful sound –
As they surrendered to the hungry sea…
Whilst I floated over their watery burial ground.
But now I am a refugee
I have no home
I am alone.

This charity tent is not a home.
Nasty things happen here, where strange men roam,
And father’s 500 euros didn’t buy me liberty;
This camp is a prison – I am not free.
I am a refugee
I have no home
I am alone.