Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

By Mahshid Hager

I once was a refugee child
Scared out of my mind and confused
My body weak, my senses numb
I had seen things no one should.

I had lived through violence and war
I said goodbye to my home, my family and everything I knew
Escaping in the deep of the night
To where, I’m not sure

I had walked until I hurt
For days across mountains full of snow
I watched my father cry,
I held my mother’s hand, and bid my childhood adieu

I was a refugee child when I arrived on your shores
I was hungry, bruised and battered
I didn’t think I mattered, I didn’t know your ways
I looked to you to teach me
and tell me I’d be ok.

Did you see the fear in my eyes?
Did you know my pain?
Did you offer a hand? A hug? A prayer?
Or did you run away?

I am that refugee child, trying to find a new home,
Looking for peace and quiet, once again learning to belong.
Will you open your doors and heart to me?
Will you make space for me?
Will you show me your bridges instead of your cages?

I imagine that I scare you. I imagine you’re hurting too.
Maybe you’ve been told about me. Maybe it’s not been all true.
I’m here to tell you: My life is in your hands.
Don’t send me back to where I came from,
Instead, take a chance.

Show me that I matter, not merely because I exist.
Treat me like a human. It’s your courage I want to enlist.
Life has not been easy but you can make it right
I almost don’t feel human, I need you by my side.

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash