#102: A Refugees Decision

If a refugee comes to the United States, it is not only an opportunity for them, but an opportunity for us. It gives us the chance to love and care for that refugee, to welcome them, and to provide a confirmation to their hope. It is a chance for us to show what make's America great in the first place.

The refugee comes here with high hopes and in desperate need. Furthermore, a child refugee is the most impressionable of people. If they are welcomed here, they can become a part of our country and make a lasting contribution.

Two questions must then be posed. If not here, where then will the child go? And what will the child become? If they go back to their war torn home, they may become the very terrorists we fear. Our national security is not improved if we are creating more enemies.

He came to my porch with a gift

He knocked but there was no answer

He came from a violent land

He came for a helping hand

I didn't want to talk to a stranger

I didn't want to know who he was

I dared not answer the door

For I feared what he was here for

He went back to his old home

Impressionable but with no hope

They took him in the darkest of night

They taught him to hate and to fight

This boy who once had a future

Standing again at my door

He didn't knock this time around

He busted the front door down

I looked him straight in his eyes
Now hatred was all I could see
But if I had let him in earlier
What type of man could he be?

#101: An Adventure Begins

In January of 2015 I started this poetry blog with a goal of sharing 100 poems over the course of 100 weeks. Some weeks I couldn't wait to share a specific poem, whiles others were a bit more challenging. All in all, I had a blast putting together each blog post.

On Christmas Day 2015, right smack in the middle of this Poetry Project, I decided to sign up on E-harmony. I didn't know what to expect with dating online, but I was both nervous and excited.

Toward the end of January 2016, I stumbled upon the profile of Kelly Joiner. One of the things we immediately connected with was our love of writing and poetry. I was smitten by Kelly's ability to write about her life and her struggles in an honest manner. She wasn't and still isn't afraid to share her struggles but in a way that isn't self deprecating or as a plea for pity. Before we even met in person for the first time, we shared some of our poetry to each other and that helped forge a solid connection

It has almost been one year since I first met this amazing woman and now we are planning our wedding. A lot can happen in one year. What a blessing this adventure has been so far. 

We've come to the foot of the trail

You and me together

We see our life ahead

For the worse and for the better

I see the path but only so far

I see the mountains that we'll climb

I see the streams, the trees

The scenery so fine

We found each other along the path

And love would soon arise

I never saw such a pure heart

Until I looked in to your eyes

And though I'm far from perfect

You help me to find

The goodness hidden in me

Of holiness intertwined

You have all your baggage 

And me I have all of mine

But from here we'll go hand in hand

Until the end of time