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Migrants 2021 Sarah Early

For centuries, migrants have roamed the world.

The Polynesians sailed on balsa-wood rafts to the Americas.

The Vikings reached New England, on the North American seaboard.

North Africans sailed around the Med and even to Britain,
Where they kidnapped our ancestors, and enslaved them.

Paler migrants travelled to Asia and the Americas.
They destroyed temples and cities,
Enslaved or slaughtered millions.
Though some of them also built bridges and railways.
And they even introduced the game of cricket!

Now people are migrating again,
Fleeing from war and famine.

Many of them are coming to England,
And they often have darker skins than us.
Though we forget that many of our ancestors were dark-skinned,
Like ten thousand year-old Cheddar Man.

These migrants don’t want to rule us —-
Though we ruled over many of them.
They don’t want to harm us,
Even in revenge for their ancestors
who were killed by white people.

No. They simply want to be safe,
and to raise their children in peace.

So … why can’t we welcome them?

December 2020 Sarah Early ©

Abandoned inflatable boat. Mudeford
Photograph Eric Johnson

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