in boats with broken masts they come looking for a manger but our inn is full tonight the inn we built on the skull and bones of Africa and who will hear the screams of children with blisters for a skin and who will listen to a father's cry cradling his lifeless son and who will love three thousand children with green lips and fleshless skulls in this cruel and loveless sea even the dead begin to weep
A few words about the poem…
The Migrant Song: A Powerful Entry in Anti-War Poems
In the poignant verse of "The Migrant Song," a profound narrative unfolds, evoking the harrowing experiences of those seeking refuge across treacherous waters. As part of the series "Anti-War Poems," this work explores themes of displacement, suffering, and the consequences of global conflicts, highlighting the often-overlooked plight of migrants.
The poem begins with an image of boats with broken masts, symbolizing the fragile and perilous journey of refugees. They come "looking for a manger," invoking a sense of desperate hope and biblical imagery of seeking shelter. However, the stark reality is quickly presented: "our inn is full tonight," signifying the rejection and lack of hospitality that these individuals face upon arrival.
A powerful critique is embedded in the line, "the inn we built / on the skull and bones of Africa," which alludes to the historical exploitation and colonization that have contributed to current crises. This acknowledgement of complicity serves as a reminder of the broader context within which these migrations occur, pointing to the lingering effects of imperialism and economic disparity.
The poem then shifts focus to the individual suffering of migrants. The visceral imagery of "children’s screams / with blisters for a skin" and a father "cradling his lifeless son" brings to light the personal tragedies that are part of this broader narrative. These lines resonate deeply, illustrating the human cost of conflict and displacement.
The recurring question, "and who will love / three thousand children / with green lips and fleshless skulls," underscores the overwhelming nature of the crisis. The green lips suggest the effects of decay in the sea waters where they drowned, while the fleshless skulls evoke images of death. This haunting portrayal challenges the reader to consider their own response to such widespread suffering.
In the concluding lines, the sea itself is described as "cruel and loveless," an indifferent expanse that magnifies the despair of those lost to it. The assertion that "even the dead begin to weep" speaks to an almost cosmic sorrow, as if the magnitude of the tragedy has reverberated beyond the living.
"The Migrant Song" stands as a significant contribution to the series of Anti-War Poems, encapsulating the themes of displacement and the human cost of conflict. By drawing attention to the suffering of migrants and the historical contexts that have shaped their journeys, the poem challenges readers to reflect on their own role in addressing these ongoing humanitarian crises.
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