The Refugee

He crouches behind a false wall…hoping, praying, Listening carefully to the commotion outside. A knock on the door, another, two more! They kick the door in and storm inside. Men with rifles, boys with guns, Searching, preying, abducting, killing, They turn over the table and kick over a few chairs, As they search every nook and corner of the building. Finding nothing they eventually leave, He heaves a sigh of relief He looks at his wife, tears streaming down her face, They nod in agreement, it is time to leave. As night draws near, they sneak outside, Scanning the place for the infidels. He carries a rucksack, it’s all that they have, A few clothes, some photos and some medicine. She follows along, her son in her arms, They make their way to the sea shore; They stop in their tracks, their hearts skips a beat… A gunshot, another, two more! A man walks towards them, a gun in his hand, They kneel, he comes in a little closer; He asks where they are going, they don’t say a word The child starts crying, they think it’s all over. Then the man asks them to follow him, They stand up and do as they are told. He takes them to a place where there stands a boat, He takes all their money and asks them to get aboard. A few hours later, the silence breaks... A scream, another, two more! The boat is sinking they jump in the water, Their life-jackets barely keep them afloat. A woman beside them struggles to swim, He takes off his life-jacket and gives it to her, He asks his family to keep on swimming, He promises to meet them on the shore. Later that day she waits on the beach, A body washes up, another, two more! She cries as she hugs her dear little boy, He should be proud, his dad was a hero. They turn and start walking towards the city Refugees, aliens, total unknowns; Some strangers walk up to help them A new friend, another, two more. -I wrote this poem based on the true stories of refugees, that have been highlighted on the Facebook page, "Humans Of New York". I want to dedicate this to all those going through the current refugee crisis. Our prayers are with you.