Locked Out | Teen Ink

Locked Out

July 15, 2008
By darkpinkmolly GOLD, Oakland, California
darkpinkmolly GOLD, Oakland, California
11 articles 0 photos 0 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I write for the same reason I breathe - because if I didn't, I would die. " -Isaac Asimov


Locked Out

There’s a lock on the door
to the land of the free
always before it opened
the path to opportunity

It’s beginnings weren’t as noble
as we innocently pretend
We stole the land from its people
and never made true amends

Since then the unexplored vastness
magnetically drew a deluge
of colorful, diverse immigrants
all commonly seeking refuge

Almost none were treated well
but all endured through stormy weather
united by a common dream of the future
for their children: to make things better

So let us not become too comfortable with our power
closing the gates with xenophobic scorn
because ignoring pleas for fair immigration
is like wishing our country hadn’t been born

The author's comments:
I have many friends who are immigrants or the children of immigrants, and they influenced this poem. I feel that immigrants, legal or not, are often treated unfairly in this country, and my stance on this issue is what inspired this poem.

Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 0 comments.