Immigration

From China to Germany,
From Russia to Italy,
They came.
They all came.

They all spoke differently,
They all had nothing,
They barely survived.
They knew hardship.

They landed,
A place called “Ellis Island”,
The sickly sent back,
Children were waiting for parents’ return.

They lived lowly,
Cramped, dirty places,
Tenements,
Wherever they could fit.
Some Americans reached out,
A warm, welcoming smile,
With teachings of this fascinating new Country,
Providing care and financial help.

Large, muggy workplaces,
Children crying,
Barely enough pay to survive,
An existence reserved for rats.

Though differences were small,
Words,
Rarely understood,
Tortured many hearts,

Although very long ago,
Effects still last,
Towards rebellion,
Our blood-stained past.