Winning Poems, 2024

Nonna cried As she waved good-bye From the Port in Sicily. Deep in her heart Saddened with pain She knew she may never see them again. As the Olympia took them out to sea, Standing on the ship’s deck Mamma and papa prayed, This voyage, they would not regret. It was a long and difficult journey. Fifteen days of turbulent sea As the ship’s bow pointed forward To its ultimate destiny. In the ‘land of milk and honey’ They did arrive, So far from home Thanking God they were still alive Landing in Halifax at Pier 21 Kissing the ground They finally walked on. The immigrant father, mother, daughter and son, Children too young To understand What their parents had done. “Streets Paved with Gold” Is what they were told. “Wealth you can only achieve in your dreams” But they already knew Dreams are made By what they choose to do. So many people So much hope Their worldly possessions In borrowed suit cases Secured by an old rope. The room was large And artificially lit Immigrants being processed As officials saw fit Children crying Mothers praying Fathers worrying. So much courage To leave all behind To give their children A much better life. No language No work No money, As they arrive in this land of ‘Milk and Honey’ “Get on that train!” They were told. Into the darkness Into the bitter cold Arriving finally At their new home And ‘streets paved with gold’. Uncle and aunt Would welcome them there To live together With much love and care. Work they did find. Mamma worked days Papa at night Children at school Learning to speak and to write. His olive toned skin Would quickly provoke Laughter and teasing And how the boy spoke. For many days This he endured Without saying A single word. “My son why are you sad? Why do you cry? What is the reason? Please tell me why?” To his mamma he says “Children are mean This I know They make fun of me Wherever I go” I want to go back Where I can feel free To be who I am. I just want to be me.” Father listened with a frown on his brow, With an understanding voice said “My son be strong They’ll come around.” But the inequity and teasing Continued for days Until a young girl Spoke up and said, “Enough. Leave him alone, He is my friend.” She took his hand And squeezed it tight, “You’re my friend now I’ll make things right.” With hair of gold And eyes of blue She was his first love A friend who was true. The prettiest girl In the whole wide world Gave the immigrant boy a hug For all to see. That immigrant boy? That was me!