the arrival

commotion and noise 

indecipherable signs

unknown words

confusion and wonder

papers, please…

medical inspection

stand up straight 

and open your mouth

the ship was filthy

the food was drab

but none of it mattered

for hope of a new life ahead

the american dream

streets paved with gold

possibilities endless

burdens of the past forgotten

and so it was

a clean slate

a new beginning

a new journey thus begun