All Nonfiction
- Bullying
- Books
- Academic
- Author Interviews
- Celebrity interviews
- College Articles
- College Essays
- Educator of the Year
- Heroes
- Interviews
- Memoir
- Personal Experience
- Sports
- Travel & Culture
All Opinions
- Bullying
- Current Events / Politics
- Discrimination
- Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
- Entertainment / Celebrities
- Environment
- Love / Relationships
- Movies / Music / TV
- Pop Culture / Trends
- School / College
- Social Issues / Civics
- Spirituality / Religion
- Sports / Hobbies
All Hot Topics
- Bullying
- Community Service
- Environment
- Health
- Letters to the Editor
- Pride & Prejudice
- What Matters
- Back
Summer Guide
- Program Links
- Program Reviews
- Back
College Guide
- College Links
- College Reviews
- College Essays
- College Articles
- Back
a safe haven where i remain unworthy MAG
bombs erupted behind us once,
my brother and I clutched each others hands,
his callouses from molding pottery,
slanting over the ridges of my skin,
the folds of his hands,
clasping holding mine.
our limbs were tired once,
hours of sprinting next to our mother,
the rhythm of our feet,
beating on time with the discordant music
of shots ringing behind us,
of the Russian invasion.
we were denied asylum once,
our mother quickly able to cross into Poland,
the dark skin from our father,
holding us back,
like the calluses on our hands,
weren’t the same as those of the people around us.
we were afraid (or was it safe?) once,
red, white and blue painting
our fingertips as we worked in New York,
the clay easily molding over my brothers fingers,
a radiant smile on his shining face,
pottery had never come easily to me.
i was ashamed once,
my brother praised and revered,
for his talented fingers
the accent from home washed out of his mouth,
while my creaky joints and thick tongue couldn’t
fit the mold.
i stay ashamed now,
my brother a refugee to be trusted,
to be kept safe for his contributions,
my washing of dishes
a stolen job
a shame
a stain on the word “refugee.”
Similar Articles
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
This article has 0 comments.
I was inspired by Kevin Nguyen and his work, specifically how he conveys that refugees are expected to be eternally grateful and may feel unworthy, unappreciated and disrespected. I used this inspiration to write a poem about what I imagine it may feel like to be a refugee running from somewhere and having to face racial discrimination and feelings of unworthiness in a new home.