Minnesotans! There’s plenty of room in my FREE workshop Sunday, April 6, 1-4 Central time: Rewriting the Story, Reclaiming the Self. This workshop, held via Zoom, is designed for anyone living with the memories, recent or long ago, of abuse: bullying, domestic violence, an emotionally abusive relationship, a sexual or physical assault. Click here for more information and to register. All are welcome, no writing experience necessary. 

I never understood until now, deep down in my gut and in a way that jolts me awake throughout the night, how Hitler came to power so horrifyingly fast. Please, save me from hatred and disdain. Save me from refusing to see the hopes and dreams of others as equal to my own.

Refugees, by Brian Bilston

They have no need of our help
So do not tell me
These haggard faces could belong to you or I
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 from bottom to top.)

​Click here for more information about Brian Bilston. I first found this poem last week on poet George Bilgere’s wonderful poetry site Poetry Town. 
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