TRAGIC Poem: Caged Like Us, by Iwan Lee

Four years I have been here now.
Every single day, washing away like sand in the sea.
Every day, we wish for change—
for comfort,
for once to be seen,
to be cherished like human beings.
But here we are, caged like animals.

Four years I have been here now.
Every single day, blowing away like dust in the wind.
We stand in line,
waiting for our thirst to be quenched,
for just enough to survive.
Sometimes it feels like we might waste away,
at the mercy of those who give,
who might spare a drop of kindness.
And still, we are caged like animals.

Four years I have been here now.
Every single day, I am a star lost in the crowd.
Packed together with no space to breathe.
Maybe we are not stars.
Maybe we are only shadows in a cage.
So many eyes, but none that truly see.

Some are sad.
Some are angry.
Some are tired.
None are happy.
And still, every day is the same.
So much that it all blends together—
our lack of water,
our lack of food,
our lack of shelter,
our lack of joy.

Four years I have been here now.
Every single day, hoping for a change.
I know it will come.
But for now, I survive.
To one day greet that change with open arms