The Immigrant Elegy
Unwelcoming the stranger
Do you not yet understand,
Do you think it far from you
To contemplate the worth of a man,
Or take the time to see his view,
Give his words their moment due?
Though they might well differ
Cause your mind somehow to suffer,
You might learn to comprehend
That this strange sort of man
Lives in a world far different than you.
If his vision should prove as true,
As real as any that you knew,
What might you then choose to do,
How would this struggle end,
Could it move you closer to his truth?
Oh, it’s better to be done with him,
Leave him in the darkness there,
No more need, then, to pretend
One day you might come to dare,
And grant his message a proper ear.
The crowd awaits, you hear the roar
Of voices just outside your door,
“Come join our march to the edge of town
We can watch them burn the stables down,
And clear the land for something new. ”
“Some things belong and some do not,
Our families are all we’ve got,
Children, dogs, and kittens
Dressed in latest coats and mittens,
No more space for these homeless ones.”
As the story is so often told,
We return to our peaceful homes,
And time goes on without a doubt,
The only questions are about
How, and why, we let them in.
How long do strangers remain “the other”, “the less than human” ?
Three generations? Four? Forever?
I’m just curious to know so we can all plan accordingly.
Thank you for taking the time to read! I sincerely appreciate your support.
Copyright © 2025, Robert G. Metivier. All Rights Reserved.
If you like my work, please Buy Me a Coffee