War. Poem by Courtney Ferguson

War. Death. Blood. Always being scared. That's what consumed the economy I lived in. Leaving is what my family and I needed to do, to get away, protect ourselves, and to start a new life somewhere new. Somewhere where war wasn't happening. A plane ticket and a security check later, I'm sitting in a cramped seat in between a dude who is already asleep and some lady who looks to be stuck up. I'm quite nervous because its my first time flying in a plane and leaving my country. Soon enough we are taking off, headed to somewhere safer and better I hope.16 hours and 2 stops later, I'm finally on the ground in a new country. I'm finally free of all the war back home. I'm finally safe. Or so I thought. As everybody was getting off the plane, I could hear noises further down the walkway, bursting through the doors, i'm met with what has to be hundreds of people, all cheering for us and welcoming us into their home. What looks to be a police officer stops me and asks that my family and I follow him. We were led to a room where more people sat, some were crying while others just sat there, staring off into space and thinking. I was confused, silently questioning myself as to why I was in this room. Did I do something wrong? I don't know how long i sat there, questioning everything that was going on but finally the door opened and in walked a man who was dressed in suit looking all professional. He looked around the room, staring at us with no emotion on his face. Turned to the officer whispered in his ear, having a conversation that was silent to us all in the room. He pulled away, nodded and turned to us. What would leave his mouth next was something none of us expected. He strongly but firmly spoke the words, "We are not allowing you into this country. As of tomorrow you all are going to be deported back to the country you came from. You are dismissed and freely to go stay at a hotel for the night. Someone will be picking you up and bringing you back here in this room in the morning." Then he left, without uttering another word to us or the officer. I was dumbfounded and hurt. That when I thought I was coming to a country to escape all the horror back home and to be welcomed here with open arms, I'm told that I will be going back. I thought America was supposed to be a safe, welcoming, and caring place. A place where i wouldn't have to run and take cover because of a bomb, gunfire, or a missile coming from the planes that flew above us.