Refugee Poem by Hanh Chau

When is asked what is your name?
I replied it is refugee
And oh why is that? The reason is I am a man that has lost his homeland to war
To escape away from a thousand miles
to find a secure place with a sense of belongingness and acceptance
Even in a cold stormy weather, sickness, vomiting and hunger I endured
My strong-willed and determination pursue me to carry on to hope for
a brighter future and promises
You see I came across to the land of Great America….. that itembraced me with
humility to open a new door with a greater opportunity to rebuild a prosperity life
in which I called a second home
Only to know that I must start from a scratch with a bare hand and feet
That was my goal and inspiration to witness for my children to live
surpass me.
It has given me the voice to speak, the freedom to express, opportunity to look
How can I not be grateful, indeed I am
So, when you see other refugee out there
DO NOT JUDGE me as I plead
I have learned to be on my thick skin
to stand high and seize with every second chance never to take anything for granted
When life is tough and knock me down
I carry myself back up and stand tall and be tougher than life itself
I am humble to call myself an American
to learn the true value of freedom and its meaning
In a place that filled with a melting pot and multi-cultural diversity
For that I salute to you,
the Great America you are,
in all we stand together