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| Syrian Refugees at Budapest Railroad Station, September, 2015 |
Families turned away at the border
mothers and children need a home
and thirty state governors stand firm
arms folded NO across their chest
With sanctimonious voices they say:
keep the refugees out, don't help them
they are not welcome in this state.
Where is the compassion, the mercy
how can they ignore the desperate pleas
has anyone asked these rejecting governors
'What would Jesus do?' or 'What if it was you?'
With sanctimonious voices they say:
keep the refuges out, don't help them;
they are not welcome in this state.
This is written for Susan's Midweek Motif,
where the theme is 'Mercy.' I am also posting
it for Poets United Poetry Pantry. This is the article
that caused me to write this poem:
Syrian Family Rejected by Indiana Welcomed by Connecticut.
Thankfully, there are states that do welcome refugees.
Well said, Mary. Desperate parents, with their small suffering children, being turned away is unfathomable, yet predictable. Our prime minister is under the gun as well but keeps insisting calmly that we will be bringing them - that the most vulnerable are the ones who are coming. Radical and extremist people with guns cam come from anywhere, they are in so many countries, including our own. I'm with you - thank heaven there are states, cities and countries who will welcome them as they flee terror and hardship beyond anything we can imagine. I love this poem!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly! I see this as a folk song with everyone singing the refrain.
ReplyDeleteIt is incomprehensible how people can be so uncharitable. You have captured the mood of so many who would like to ask hard questions of those who make such awful decisions.
ReplyDeleteWe should always extend a loving hand to the children.
ReplyDeleteIt's horrible what circumstances cause people to feel such fear and distrust that bring them to make such merciless decisions.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though feelings of mercy and compassion have vanished from our world.. one can only hope! Powerful write.
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
The pompous idiots from upon high only care about themselves in the end.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad Mary, that some are so unwilling to help. That picture is heartbreaking.
ReplyDelete'What if it was you' requires a conscience and whether that has been eroded or was never present truly interferes with that...a philosophy which applies to many a situation global, or otherwise...a powerful poem Mary
ReplyDeleteWe have a similar - or worse! - situation here in Australia, where the whole nation (rather than individual States) uses unspeakably cruel measures to keep 'them' out.
ReplyDeleteThis xenophobic hysteria is worrying on many levels. It shows selfishness and a deep lack of empathy. I also believe that it means the terrorists have won a battle if they make us afraid of those who fled them.
ReplyDeleteSo much loss here.. When every one says no, they will still come. Now so many have came to Sweden young men has to sleep on the street.. It should be easy if we just shared the joy of having them.. Do they understand that they work for Daesh doing things like this.
ReplyDeletepeople can make their voices heard hopefully and try and get such fear mongering stopped before it grows exponentially....
ReplyDeleteMadness. Madness and hypocrisy. Well pointed out, Mary.
ReplyDeleteand how terrible that some exploit our mercy and enter as refugees only to destroy peoples lives sans merci.
ReplyDeleteVery good point as well!
Deletewar and the terrorists would have won if we do not help the refugees. however this comes with great logistical, social and security concerns. this is like a two-edged sword. damned if we let them in and damned if we don't. :(
ReplyDeleteOnce again.. a touching & poignant write.
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
It is so difficult watching fear snuff out compassion. Mercy...Merci. We need to remember those tired, poor, huddled masses.
ReplyDelete"'What would Jesus do?" certainly IS the question Mary
ReplyDeletehave a blessed Sunday
much love...
Jesus would say as the Pope says...they are hypocrites. Jesus was a refuge too and how soon they forget.
ReplyDeleteEverything is all jumbled and twisted. Prayers are much needed to bring about a solution to all of the world's current problems. for peace to be restored and for everyone to accept each other for our own, God-given, unique differences.
ReplyDeleteSo much heart break. May we all gain peace and the wisdom of this poem!
ReplyDeleteThe world is changing and we are living in a state of chaos which causes fear. Hopefully, a peaceful resolution can be found for all...
ReplyDeleteA thoughtful poem, so much today requires extra understanding! Some people are so cold, after all it seems we had a hand in creating all that is happening.
ReplyDeleteEvery state has people they cannot care for...many starve and those were born here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting. Ginsburg gave me the words.
Have a blessed week.
Sad situation, and powerful questions you ask....
ReplyDeleteA sad situation, indeed, Mary. I'm glad that my state of California will not be turning the refugees away. It saddens me to know that so many states are turning their hearts to stone. Too many people follow fear instead of their hearts.
ReplyDeleteSo very sad and true. Oh how we kneejerk in fear to circumstances. I am so saddened by the response to the crisis with the refugees and how people are reacting in fear - and no one stops to think we are playing into the terrorists plans - so they can continue to yet again bring up how we infidels are so cruel. I wonder how we can look at ourselves in the mirror when such thoughts punish innocent people.
ReplyDeleteA very poignant and sad refrain in this piece. Such an atrocious state of affairs. One is left holding one's breath awaiting the next heartbreaking tale of human suffering and desperation to hit the newswires - while our "leaders" hem and haw and dream up excuse after excuse.
ReplyDeleteFear about a lack of safety is what propels the refugees and those who would not allow them to enter. So much common ground gone un-shared because so many have forgotten the "brotherhood of man."
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
I had read this before, but it's message is worthy of another read. I cannot ignore this tragedy of people thinking there is not enough to share. Thank you Mary.
ReplyDeleteit is sad if we keep the doors shut cause i think it's a big blessing when we help those who need our help
ReplyDeletethankful that our government here keeps the doors open even though it's a big challenge
It is haunting how one incident changes the view~ Mary, you are always bring it~
ReplyDeleteI admire your fortitude~
So timely and so well-penned, Mary. I feel so grateful to my adopted homeland of Australia for having accepted my family when we were fleeing the dictatorship in Greece. This has also made me extremely sensitive to the plight of the refugees seeking a better life away from the war in Syria....
ReplyDelete