Refugee Poems

Inspired by the heartbreaking events which daily unfold on our newscreens, pupils at my weekly lunchtime poetry group have been writing refugee poems. I shared with them three poems, by Michael Rosen, Martha Sprackland and 9-year-old Lamiya Safarova. After a brief discussion, I asked pupils to write poems from the perspective of a refugee. Some used their imaginations, whilst others based their pieces on real experiences. I'm excited to share the results:

The Refugee Girl by Vanshika

I saw a girl who twinkled

She had a smile on her face

But from the inside she was glum

And full of sorrow

I tried to ask her but she would never say

Why she feels this way

The next day

I saw her sitting on the bench crying

Alone

When I asked her what’s the matter

She said

I am a refugee girl

And I hate being this person

 

Refugee Poem by Sakai

I sit on the bench which is broken in half

I stare at the empty bottle wanting for more water

I think about my family

Helping them to come for me

But no one knows I’m here

Because I am a refugee

 

Refugee Poem by Mahveen

I can see across the land, everyone upset

Determined but strong.

I can smell the smoke from the ashes

That came from down the road

I can hear my people screaming in fear,

Love and joy

I can taste the bitterness coming from this town,

Oh how I can’t wait to find home

I can feel myself being pulled

Into something different, something new.

 

Refugee Poem by Saniya

Life is an endless chase

Running from place to place

Our families scattered and torn

Oh Lord, why was this evil ever born?

I’m tired of this game of cat and mouse

I want a place to call my house