By Daniel, Year 8, Solefield School, Sevenoaks
‘Refugium’ is where the word refugee comes from
In Latin, it means to take refuge or asylum
But nowadays the word is more
It’s a status of immigration for the poor
The word has turned into a curse
Spat out of foul mouths. A death bed, a hearse
For any hopes and dreams of refugees
Nurses, cooks, referees
All these futures, just out of reach
Of these innocent people just trying to teach
Their children to grow up and go to school
Go to their neighbour’s house, swim in the pool
Like any other person, with similar potential
But the governments say no, their reason: confidential
It’s not just a secret you can keep from the people
But, a sense of xenophobia, barely legal
It’s a breach of the 2nd human right
Liberty, personal security, a right to life
We’re ignoring this injustice, getting on with our lives
While a family in Syria is struggling to survive
Their young as unhealthy as a wild animal
Rations for the journey, kept to a minimal
Then they board the treacherous ships
Survival as rare as a solar eclipse
Once they get to shore, they imagine safety
But the reality is not so tasty
They’re spat on, scorned and generally disrespected
And, in our society, this is normal, expected
The refugees, whose hopes were so much larger
End up in poverty, life becoming harder
And harder, but they’re made of so much steel
They’re toughened metal, even without the occasional meal
They’re still coming strong, through the flames
Despite the oppression, calling of names
We can’t even begin to imagine what these brave souls go through
It's hard to understand when not everyone loathes you
But the least I could do is spread some awareness
We need to face the facts, even if they scare us
Because there can’t be any wall for xenophobes to hide behind
We’ll learn to love, care, welcome, be kind
If this goal is reached, then lives will be saved
A new path for refugees will be paved
