I watch them bring the boat in
As we wait on sodden sand,
My memories flash before me
Of our deserted, beaten land.
We’ve travelled days and many nights
We were promised a new life,
By men who told my husband
“Save your daughter, son and wife.”
We paid with all our money
Left in the middle of the night,
The journey fraught with danger
Keeping safe and out of sight.
We wait upon the shore
Our children hungry, tired and weak,
My husband’s hand, a thousand words
But not a word we speak.
The boat now on the shoreline
The tide is rising fast,
Families rushing forward
Not wanting to be last.
A mist falls all around us
Screaming, shouting fills the air,
We’re safely on the boat
And thanking God that we are there.
Those who do not make it
Are left standing in the tide,
Those on board are wet and sobbing
With others clinging to the side.
The air is cold, it’s dark now
As we creak along the sea,
My husband holds us close to him
Dare we dream now to be free?
I feel the water on my feet
Shouting once more fills the air,
The boat is going under
And then nothing but despair.
The water’s freezing cold
As we try to stay afloat,
A wave sweeps me from my family
And I’m dragged up on a boat.
One by one are now beside me
Freezing cold, they weep,
The search is then abandoned,
My family taken by the deep.
In shock and numb, we reach a shore
With cliffs as white as snow,
I do not know the language
But forward I must go.
The rain begins to fall
It hides the tears upon my face,
I owe it to my family
To make a life here in this place.
More about The Poem...
Marie comments, ' I wrote this in the hopes that people don’t vilify the innocent who cross waters to other countries in the hope of a safe life.'
This haunting and poignant poem tells the heart-wrenching story of a family's perilous journey as refugees fleeing their war-torn homeland in search of safety and a new life. Through vivid and emotional imagery, the poem captures the desperation, hope, and ultimate tragedy that accompanies their passage across the sea.
The narrative begins with the family waiting on a rain-soaked beach, reflecting on their ravaged homeland and the promises of a better life that led them to this precarious moment. The urgency and danger of their flight are palpable as they recall the night-time escape and the treacherous journey they have endured.
As the boat arrives and the tide rises, a chaotic scramble ensues, filled with shouting and desperation. The family boards the boat amid a misty, frenzied scene, and though there is a moment of relief and gratitude, it is short-lived. The boat soon begins to sink, throwing the passengers into icy waters. Amid the chaos, the protagonist is separated from their family, leading to a devastating loss as their loved ones are claimed by the sea.
Rescued and brought to a foreign shore with white cliffs, the survivor faces the daunting reality of starting anew in an unfamiliar land. Despite the overwhelming grief and language barriers, there is a resolve to honor the memory of the lost family by forging a new life in this place.
The poem is a powerful tribute to the resilience and strength of refugees, highlighting the profound personal costs of their journeys and the enduring hope that drives them forward. Through its evocative storytelling, the poem invites readers to empathize with the plight of those forced to flee their homes and the indomitable spirit that sustains them.
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