By Carolina Saavedra, Staff Attorney
Wake up at 5:30 in the morning before the sun.
In the cold of the morning my routine has begun. Make the bed, wash, tidy up. Let's go learn some art.
March with all of my peers. Ten more just arrived.
We are all together; all at once, worlds apart.
We only long to belong and we long to survive.
After class, it's counseling. To the house we go back.
Down the short road, a parade of khakis and black.
The misses and misters making sure we comply.
How much longer will it be till I can reunify?
They are well meaning, but I'm still torn inside
Can I please stay in "land of the free"? Just outside?
Dinner. Then clean, wash dishes, vacuum and trash.
Hang out with new friends; let's hope we don't clash.
As I lay down my head, my thoughts break through the dam:
Why am I here, I just want my mom!
On a harrowing journey across a continent, I embarked.
Only to be brought here so that I may be sent back!
Back to danger and desperation again.
Conscription or death, hunger and pain.
Engineer, doctor, pilot. My dreams are so large. Learn English and work hard once I'm discharged
Obstacles I cannot ponder are looming ahead
Will I find an attorney who will fight for me instead?
