Home » Poems » Kaela Aalto » Eyes of An Immigrant

Eyes of An Immigrant

The musty, foul smelling
Boat rocks
The room is dim
And silent
Everyone is waiting 
For the shores of Ellis Island
They hope to have a new life
Start over in America
The room awakens
When the captain yells
"Land ahead"
Everyone cheers
I see the gleaming copper Statue of Liberty
I can smell the fresh salty air
My heart is filled with optimism
My dreams are so close to coming true
But the same cannot be said for others
Some are sent back for illness
Or not enough money
Or no ride
They send you back
To that hopeless land
Back on the dim boat
Where dreams once lived but now are lost
Yet others are let through
To the country of America
Where a better life awaits
Filled with hope
In the land of opportunity
I smile a happy smile
I am almost there

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 3/10/2016 2:16:00 AM

Kaela Aalto, nice to see this one again. LINDA

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 7/18/2013 11:41:00 PM

Hi Kaela, love the smile, you have here... , -A nice warm WELCOME to poetry soup. Dropping by to invite you to my latest contest. You will find the contest page on the top left hand side* -Looking forward in following and reading your poetry. Hope to hear from you soon. You will enjoy the community, we are one big happy family. (Drama & Love. LOL) ~ Take Care!! From: your new poet friend @-> LINDA <-@"

Skat A

Date: 7/18/2013 7:33:00 PM

Kaela, your first poem on the soup is excellent for the readers, I love it!! Stopping by with a nice and sweet Welcome to Poetry Soup. Wishing you the best when it comes to your poems. I hope you get to meet all the nice poets around here. Starting with me. SKAT :-) Please drop a hello and tell me a little about yourself if you like. I would like to be your newest poetry soup fan and "FRIEND"....... God Bless........... Hugs* SKAT"

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 7/18/2013 11:03:00 AM

-Hi, Kaela ! - A good written poem. - Welcome to P-Soup. - Thanks for your first poem, hope there will be many more in the future. - Have fun with poetry. - Good luck! - Greetings from Norway / / Anne-Lise :)

Kim Van Breda

Date: 7/18/2013 4:44:00 AM

This poem resonated so true with me. A great write on what it must have felt like-- to arrive in the land of the free. We did the ferry trip across to Liberty Island and Ellis Island around a year back-- visiting from S/Africa. We have green Cards and really hope to immigrate to your wonderful country soon.