Flotsam
After the First World War
there floated a sea of stateless people
who drifted from border to border,
flotsam of the war, each reaching out
to find somewhere to call their own;
displaced by everyone as they tried
to adopt a homeland,
a place they could call their own.
Etched on each face was the agony
they felt being turned away
everywhere they went.
This flotsam of war.
10 November 2010
Author’s Note:
It is hard to believe that millions of people were displaced and wandered the borders of Europe for years after the First World War. However, it is true and history does record it.
DVH
November 2010
poem by David Harris
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Related quotes
That Millions Do Live In Poverty
That millions do live in poverty should never be seen as okay
The gap between the haves and the have nots keeps getting bigger by the day
Everyone should have the chance to live happy a home to live in and enough for to eat
There never should be slums and ghettos and never a poverty street,
That millions are born to live in poverty and to end their hard lives in despair
Only tells us if there's a god that god favours the wealthy and that god is not very fair
To leave millions homeless and dying of malnutrition the people condemned to die poor and young
In the refugee camps of the World live the displaced, the poor and unsung,
In the age of celebrity worship the poor in millions multiply
Why millions are destined to be poor don't ask me I wouldn't know why
Even in the World's wealthiest Countries poor people are no longer rare
And millions and millions of have nots in the bigger World out there
And millions are dying of hunger and millions are doing it tough
And millions are displaced and homeless and as refugees living it rough.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Art of Border
It could be a shield, it could be a cage
The safety sealant, the tying trap
The filter line, the block wall
Border, border, border
The sacred culture, the love crossing
The moral limit, the emotion frame
The rule control, the life permission
Border, border, border
The friction fight, the freedom cut
The bond mark, the fence crack
The counter side, the edge of touch
Border, border, border
Can you keep it as promise
Can you bridge it by hope
The song from deserted corner
Border, border, border
poem by Maria Sudibyo
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Never in our country's history have we witnessed a natural disaster that has impacted so many people in such a wide area. In fact, as of the writing of this column, millions of people along the Gulf Coast have been displaced from their homes in a period of only five days.
The Border
Written by russ ballard and dewey bunnell, 1983
Found on your move, america in concert (85), ventura highway and other favorites, the very best of america, encore: more greatest hits, premium gold collection, centenary collection, and highway
You must be lost in a faraway land
I searched forever your footprints in the sand
I feel you need me, I have to answer
That desperate call that I do not understand
A burning bridge, a lonely highway
Another dark night thinking alone
What couldve happened, am I just dreaming
It doesnt matter but theres one thing that I know
If I could make it to the border
If I could make it to the coast
If I could make it to the border
Id be in the arms of the girl I love the most
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do
Make it to the border
So on and on I keep on running
To make the border before the light
Just one more river, then I can make it
Again youll be in my arms tonight
If I could make it to the border
If I could make it to the coast
If I could make it to the border
Id be in the arms of the girl I love the most
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do
Make it to the border
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do
Make it to the border
If I could make it to the border
If I could make it to the coast
If I could make it to the border
Id be in the arms of the girl I love the most
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do
Make it to the border
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do
Make it to the border
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do
Make it to the border
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do
Make it to the border ...
song performed by by America
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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All Kinds Of People
Theres a time for love, and a time for healing
You cant go back and undo whats been done
Word of mouth, time is revealing
Just how far weve let this kingdom come
Hand in hand, were finding our way
And today is just tomorrows yesterday
Some will die for you; some would lie to you
Theres all kinds of people in this world
Turn the world around, tear the borders down
Theres all kinds of people in this world
Yeahhhh
A kiss of life, and the hand of faith
A boy grows up into his fathers son
And he learns to love, hes been taught to hate
To carry on the way it has been done
All our lives its debts to repay
And then someday we can put the past away
Some will die for you, some would lie to you
Theres all kinds of people in this world
Turn the world around, tear the borders down
Theres all kinds of people in this world
Some will die for you; some would lie to you
Theres all kinds of people in this world
Put your fear away, find a better way,
Theres all kinds of people in this world
Yeahhhh
In a moment, things can change
One look behind and its never the same
Some will die for you, some would lie to you
Theres all kinds of people in this world
Turn the world around, tear the borders down
Theres all kinds of people in this world
(all kinds of people of people in this world)
Some will die for you, some would lie to you
Theres all kinds of people in this world
Put your fear away, find a better way,
Theres all kinds of people in this world
Some will die for you; some would lie to you
Theres all kinds of people in this world
Put your fear away, find a better way,
Theres all kinds of people in this world
song performed by by Sheryl Crow
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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What was she doing, there?
What was she doing, there?
Like some old bag lady.
Another displaced foreigner...
Sitting in Piccadilly, gardens
Manchester, today...
“With a toy pram
and 2 clothed dollies”
“One dressed in green,
a much larger in reddish brown”.
Simply put on the fountains cobbles...
Dressed in these old linens
Her dollies lying face down.
How odd? No one is looking...?
Not one sees the child’s pram.
Only big enough for a small, cat.
How odd these two babies,
look—displaced on the ground.
One displaced to her left.
Another to her right…
It’s the 9th of October—2011
the time tomorrows date 10.10am
on a grey, wet Sunday, morning.
And, her presence questions me?
Quietly, disturbs me.
Before I catch my 101 bus…
Lord what is real…?
What is sequential in a world of madness…?
poem by Mark Heathcote
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Allies
In troubled times
It's hard to get straight answers
Between the lines
That border wrong or right
The homeland cries
It struggles with confusion
But this feelin' still remains
Like shelter from the rain
We live of faith
In the hands of those who guide us
And tear the page
On the fear we left behind
We set the pace
For every born survivor
Don't turn the other way
When I need to hear you say
Allies with our backs against the wall
I will answer when you call
And take on the odds
For what we believe is true
Allies in a world of too much choice
I only need your voice
To tell me you care
I'll be anywhere for you
song performed by by Heart from Passion Works
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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November Rain
November rain washed away my guilt
November rain washed away my pain
November rain - so tired I felt
November rain was not just any rain
Long I longed with deep torment
For so long my body waited
November rain, , , , Oh, sweet friend
November rain- slowly I faded.
November rain- I cried within
Steady and slowly, it kept on pouring
November rain, watered my skin
And deep inside, I heard my roaring.
November rain, it refused to quit
November rain kept on pouring
And alone outside, in the streets I wept-
dripping... dripping and falling.
poem by Amy Phillip
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Where Your First Rose?
Someone use to remember loved once after many years (first rose-First love) that we never forget. Looking for it again hence nothing can accomplishes first love. Time has changed every things...
____________________________________ ______________________
Where your first rose?
Where your first rose?
I know you looking for it
But you cannot find...
Where your first rose?
I know you having forget it
Somewhere that you don’t know...
Where your first rose?
Hiding some where
You cannot ever reach...
Where your first rose?
Beneath someone heart
That you don’t know the person...
Where your first rose?
That cherish for ever
You forget to rescue it...
Where your first rose?
That you need to smell it
But you didn’t...
Where your first rose?
Smell like angels perfume
You once smell...
Where your first rose?
That you looking every where
Run away from you...
Where your first rose?
That born together in every soul
But you chased away...
Where your first rose?
That gives you happiness
Forever and forever...
Where your first rose?
That you kissed it every day
When you have it...
Where your first rose?
That you still looking for it
After many years left by...
Where your first rose?
That gives you every thing
Warm, happiness and true love...
Where your first rose?
That only dedicated you
By a true angel on earth...
Where your first rose?
You will have it never
Again with jealous eyes...
Where your first rose?
That gives to you
Behalf of true love...
Where your first rose?
That’s become a disappear
After you say no...
Where your first rose?
That has an ocean deep of value
You value it forever...
Where your first rose?
Away from you now
That’s you call every day...
Where your first rose?
You call by dreams
But really cannot touch...
Where your first rose?
You call by name
But didn’t hear your voice...
Where your first rose?
Whispering with you
Every nights and days...
Where your first rose?
That sung a songs ever nights
To lullaby...
Where your first rose?
That you don’t know
where its still...
That’s with me
By
O.W.Palitha Ariyarathna
Copyright, O.W. Palitha Ariyarathna.2010
All Rights Reserved By Author: 2010
poem by Palitha Ariyarathna
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That Tomorrow Is Another Day
There always is tomorrow you hear some people say
But for many tomorrow will me much like today
In the refugee camps of the World thirty million refugees
From war ravaged and drought stricken Countries waiting for placements overseas
In living conditions poor and overcrowded they are obliged to stay
No Country seems to want them that does seem sad to say
Even the wealthy Nations have their own homeless poverty is Worldwide
Due to their circumstance of birth to millions success has been denied
That there always is tomorrow so happens to be true
Though the millions of homeless and displaced better Karma are surely due
Than what life is giving them millions dare not to look ahead
And many far too many only wishing they were dead
That tomorrow is another day with that most would agree
But tomorrow will be like today for those in poverty.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Crossing The Border
Hey, take it and run, child
Ill ask you no questions
We traded our fortunes
Crossing the border
I hope you got lucky
You needed a change
I--i made it without you
Crossing the border
We were like a couple of wetbacks running
Standin on the banks of some dangerous river
Lookin into a brave new country
Risky business
Crossing the border
Ahhh, you--you doubled my chances
I--i sure do want your freedom
I--Ill never forget you
Crossing the border
Back when we were out there
Crossing the border
Layin it on the line
Crossing the border
song performed by by Kris Kristofferson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Strong Women
My family is a family
Of strong women
Of that there is no doubt
These women
Have withstood
The challenges of their times.
All of life’s trials
The worst of the worst
History has not been kind
Deaths, rapes and murders
They have had to live with daily
Live with on their minds.
Unexpected circumstance
Have tested my ancestral women
And they somehow survived
And somehow they managed to live on
Sometimes all alone
And to go on and to thrive.
And now in the Halls of History
They can stand up and be counted
Among those women
Among the best of the best
Those who are still considered to be
Strong Women.
Copyright Christine A Kysely 2010 November 26,2010
(c) Copyright 2010 by Christine A Kysely, All Rights Reserved
poem by Christine A Kysely
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When I Fail To See
When I fail to SEE the suffering of people,
Do not call me a visually impaired,
But call me a blind.
When I ignore the agony of hard labor,
Do not call me a physically handicapped,
But call me a crippled.
When I am inaudible to the cries of help,
Do not call me a hearing impaired,
But call me a deaf.
When we, the able bodied find it tough,
To survive under the comfortable condition,
How do the disabled survive under the hostile limitation?
poem by Veeraiyah Subbulakshmi
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Americas Presidential Race
America! America!
The presidential race is on
America! America!
History is made when the race is won
The President is about to be displaced
These words are spoken with a lightface
In this little head, thoughts fight for space
Looking for evidence and clues to trace
Who can outpace?
Who can outrace?
Who can deliver not grass but grace?
As the president is about to be replaced
The agenda could be gender
In a political race of all races
The winner could be older and bolder
In this political footrace
Who does America embrace?
Which candidates do the people erase?
Who cares?
Who fears?
This change is about to and will take place
As the president is about to be replaced
No one cares if he is black or white
Or if the other man is too old to fight
No one cares if she is a woman
It is either the democrats or the republicans
Anyone can emerge as that political face
As the president is about to be displaced
America! America!
The presidential race is on
America! America!
History is made when the race is won
Copyright 2008 - Sylvia Chidi
poem by Sylvia Chidi
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Survival
In the dark shaded border
World turns upside down
Though everything’s in order
And black is never brown!
Supposedly in order
But really in mess
The dark shaded border
Never shows its true face!
Mischief is a fun, lies sacred
Throats are slit for a small chunk of bread
It’s a savage race, the stakes are too close
Friends this moment turn into foes!
In the dark shaded border
Disorderliness is order
Money and muscle thrive
In a blind zeal to survive!
poem by Pradip Chattopadhyay
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Mother, Unreplaceable Woman
When I was made,
And suddenly born in to this world,
From mother's belly,
And breath my first air, , ,
Grateful that I can saw how beautiful,
My mother face with a glittering tears,
Carried me with happiness,
And that's the first time I feel calm, , ,
Protected and be loved, ,
And finnaly grew older,
Be a nice girl,
Against the world on own,
Cause mother's tolds,
not Fairy tales, but some act, , ,
But it just make me remember,
How old you are,
Look at the way,
And cried with all that misery, , ,
But kept still strong,
Never be wrong,
And try to go on,
Never give it up, , ,
You teach me, sing to me,
Tell me when I was wrong,
Help me to understood,
Always on my side, , ,
This day, I remembering,
Fifty Three Years has passed,
13 November 2008,
I circle it on the date note, , ,
You've been here along that journey,
Across that many barrier and challenge,
Go around the world to see,
For more knowledge and study,
At this 13 November 2008,
The rain falling,
followed by my said,
From the far at upstairs,
'Happy Birthday, My Mother, Hope The God Always Be Yours Side'
(For My Mother Birthday, Thank You For My Mother That
Cried When She Read This Poem... I Love You, Mother...)
00.39,13 November 2008, Indonesia's Time, , ,
poem by Kaede Rirunaru
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It's The Conquerors Who Write The History
As they chased the wild bison on horse back they whooped and cheered loud
And they were great hunters so noble and proud
But now on the prairies the bison are rare
And the people who hunted them no longer there.
Of the great Northern Land the first people till the invaders came
And their tragic dispossession is a thing of great shame
Conquered and put into reservations for to grow old and die
The rights of Indigenous people to them did not apply.
It's the conquerors who write history as we have been told
And men they have murdered for Land and for Gold
But what matters most when history we trace
That a Country's first people must take pride of place.
You great country singers with your golden guitars,
You politicians and tycoons and billionaire movie stars
There once was a people far greater than you
And to Mother Nature they were far more true.
And the workings of Nature they did understand
And they were the people who cared for the Land
And they were displaced and oppressed and down trod
By those who believed in a different God.
They once were great warriors, wise, noble and proud
And they gave us Chief Seattle and wise Chief White Cloud
And their profound words of wisdom still living today
And such things of great beauty will never decay.
The truth may seem bitter but the truth we must face
That a Country's first people should take pride of place
And around the World Indigenous people are not treated well
Though they have such marvellous stories to tell.
The conquerors write the history as conquerors do
But to the true history they never are true
And the conquered the history never will write
And we are conditioned to believe that might is always right.
The changes keep happening and nothing seem to last
And the great herds of bison a thing of the past
And those who once hunted them were locked away
And in reservations were forced for to stay.
Out on the lone prairie their ghosts still reside
At midnight the hunters their spotted horses ride
As they chase the wild bison across the great plain
The past in the moonlight comes to life again.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Colored Masks
You the people with million character and face
Absolutely in every story you find for yourself a place
Your colored characters even the best actors may find it hard to play
You're the best one in every situation and place
Your selfishness kept your soul slave
To win the glory of being the most appreciative you can make any mistake
The world is suffering but there absolutely you can't find for yourself a place
Only the world's bright side and its shining colors attracts your imagination for whom is your hard race
Hard to control your ego to convice you that all the people at this world are and deserve the same
But your selfishness has made you the hero for your cheep rat race
And every while you put on a different mask to play your new piece
And at every new script you choose a new role and face
But everywhere and always you take the best characters and place
poem by Sossi Khachadourian
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The European Borders Agency in Warsaw has been created to help border forces in Europe cooperate more.
quote by Gijs de Vries
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Border Train
Got nobody left to listen to
Got no promises to keep
Something's gotta be out there
Fine a world for me out there
No more livin' half asleep
There's an island in the misty night
Little platform by the track
I dreamed I saw a light for me
A face, a place so right for me
That I'd never think of lookin' back
Through the shadowland
Like a siver band
Got no kind of plan
I ride the border train
Somewhere new to be
Light the way for me
Moon and memories
I ride the border train
City jumps up like a circus
Neon flutters out of sight
The town itself is traveling
America unraveling
And swallowed in the hungry night
Through the shadowland
Like a siver band
Got no kind of plan
I ride the border train
Somewhere new to be
Light the way for me
Moon and memories
I ride the border train
There'll come a time
With no goodbyes
When I'll simply grab
That border train
And at journey's end
They will all be real
My lovers and friends
And I swear to God
There's time for me
And I'll live the life I waited for!
Wooo oooo ooo oooo
Wooo oooo ooo oooo
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
I ride the border train
Somewhere new to be
Please light the way for me
Moon and memories
I ride the border train
song performed by by Barry Manilow
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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