Immigrant

The long lines were getting shorter

Or, I was getting closer

Something awaits me

An evil so great

In its hands, lies my fate.

Desk is near

Voyage was tough

Knees could buckle any instant

Anxiety, Fear, Hope

Keep me up.

The refugee before

Disappears from view

Bones ever so sore

I step

Trembling, tears.

The immigration officer

Fate holder.

He asks

“Who are you?”

I answer shakily

“A refugee running from war where I became sorrow.”

He asks again

“Why are you here?”

“I have no home, sir.

Lost it to bombs.

I heard here, there is humanity and love”.

He asks

“What will you do here?”
I say

“I will work, cry and wish for peace.

For that is all I can do.”

The officer looks up

Tears in his eyes

“You want to find peace”

“I shall let you pass.

You no longer have to hide.

Here you will stay safe,

here you will thrive.

Go find your peace.”

“Sir, thank you.

I owe you my life.

But I need not find peace,

For it is already found.”

And I smiled.

- Raniyah Basheer