Here's another Brian Bilston poem - one which can be read both ways. Thank you BB for a brilliant, thoughtful, challenging piece. God give us strength to go on fighting for the widows and orphans, the lowest and the least.
REFUGEES
They have no need of our help
So do not tell me
These haggard faces could belong to you or me
Should life have dealt a different hand
We need to see them for who they really are
Chancers and scroungers
Layabouts and loungers
With bombs up their sleeves
Cut-throats and thieves
They are not
Welcome here
We should make them
Go back to where they came from
They cannot
Share our food
Share our homes
Share our countries
Instead let us
Build a wall to keep them out
It is not okay to say
These are people just like us
A place should only belong to those who are born there
Do not be so stupid to think that
The world can be looked at another way
(now read it from bottom to top)
Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to pass this along to our ministers. We have already sponsored two families from Syria and just got approval for two more (although it is a long process, probably 2 years at least).
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand I do understand why some have concerns about a huge influx and I think one thing we overlook is the need to stabilize things around the world so that people don't have to leave their countries. But as it stands I don't know how people can overlook the needs of these poor people - especially the children. That news about the over 500 whose parents can't be traced is just appalling and has become a real election issue in the US. It is just so sad for all of us.
Margie, I am so glad that your fellowship [which is way larger than ours here] is able to help these families. There are no easy answers - but that should not stop us trying to find the right way forward
DeletePowerful poem. As one who spent almost 30 years working in refugee resettlement in the US before retiring several years ago, it has been both infuriating and heart-breaking to see the lost opportunities to--as Matthew 25:35 says--welcome the stranger--and bring those in peril to safety and new life opportunities. Many non-profit agencies that have done this work across the US for decades have had to dismantle the many systems established to serve refugees. Even agencies who tried to serve those unaccompanied minors have been repeatedly thwarted in efforts to keep them safe by this administration. It is a shameful legacy of a morally bankrupt president.
ReplyDeleteWe continue to pray for the USA as November 4th approaches.
DeleteOh, I do like that poem! So clever!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a powerful poem! I love the flipping! It wouldn't have such an impact if you didn't read it the other way first!
ReplyDeleteIt is VERY clever - and yes, such an impact
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