Ellis Island Circa 1910 Poem by Sheena Blackhall

Fleeing from pogroms, Jews seek a new start
(paying the passage breaks families apart)
Russian, Slav, Greek, Pole, Italian and Turk
Scots, English, Irish go, all seeking work

Is it Island of Hope? Is it Island of Tears?
Homesickness. Seasickness, immigrant fears
Twelve thousand daily come shuffling past
Inspectors, interpreters, medics at last
All wearing tags stating each, their ship's name
No passport needed, no visa to claim

Anarchists, criminals, prostitutes too
Not wanted, so only the healthy win through

Butchers and teachers, farm workers and builders
Waiters andhousekeepers, tailors, fruit pickers
Fleeing from poverty, terror and war
Prejudice, drought, head for Liberty's star

Now, you can't move there without a job waiting
Family-based, work-based, investment-based, rating
Student-based, all need a visa in hand
Before relocating to Washington's land