A Migrant's Path Poem by Leonard Dabydeen

this journey of hope
where darkness
is full of dreams
and light brings joy
like a new born child
theirs are silent voices
speaking without tongues
networking
with shrieks of emotions
how they trek this journey
listening to harsh footsteps
speaking to naked brushes
crisp as sunlight
tumble weed
and blunted stones
one group craving thirst
wrestling faith
one migrant
facing undaunted death
yet daring to die
where there is no rhyme
or rhythm
for survival.
uncaring of slurs
or shameful taunts
do not call them dogs
nor monkeys
their calves are not cantaloupes
for your putrid tongue
relentless is their journey
hope is their beaming star
their every footprint
is like light
that brings joy
to a newborn child.