Seeking a new beginning, refuge

By Rhiannonw

Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • 255 reads
4 comments
 

If you have to leave your land
because of war or tyranny,
or basic freedoms banned;
walk many miles and cross the sea
and ask asylum here to be
from persecution, danger free –

will you want to get to know
our ways, beliefs and history?
and to be friends, support and care
and loyalty and standards share?
Will  you reach out, help us reach out,
our loves and laws respect, don’t flout.

There is a fear of appearing xenophobic and not realising advice is needed in joining another community. This was something I was very aware of when moving school and area as a teenager, and realising I needed to let people quietly get to know me, and I them. Which is why I felt the last but one line was key.

[IP: new beginnings]

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Comments

Submitted by Tom Brown on

You think you have problems in Europe, but in SA foreigners are unwelcome they are really taking our jobs it is a fact and for clear reasons, as cheap labour and others, they are willing to work for very small wages since they are illegal and not protected by labour laws.

Women even just come over the border for a baby to be born here as a citizen and then to return.

Furthermore at this stage it is still easy to cross our borders illegally.

-Tom

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I was thinking here of those asking legally, and with great need, of asylum and help. As so many can so easily travel far nowadays, and there are so many war areas, it is very difficult for the authorities to know who are genuine in their desires and needs, but also, for those who are so, to know how to try to get to know us, and so we can learn to get along together. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by hilary west on

You are right Rhiannon, integration is key and it would help if they knew English. Not speaking it makes it impossible to blend in.

 

hilary   smiley

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Hilary. If the desire to integrate is there, the language learning will be easier and there will be plenty of support! Integration doesn't mean losing your distinctive roots and background, but repecting and befriending and sharing. Rhiannon