Nowhere to hide

The slap of waves on the boat's side
As now the wind blew as night fell
Fourth day at sea with nowhere to hide

Except when the sea was unkind
And sprayed us all with its wet kiss
O land, land just where are you to find?

Last night another baby dies
But the mother still holds him tight
When she gives him up, all day she cries

Our water is running so short
But one sip in morning and night
Just how long before we reach a port?

How bad was life before this?
That makes us suffer hell at sea
The first sandy shoreline I will kiss

It's dark but lights are seen far off
So we head that way full of hope
But my mother now has a bad cough

We arrive at a cove near a port
And soon are discovered there
But too late our landing to abort

So we are herded in buses
Just how comfy the seats they feel
We're so quiet nobody cusses

I smile at my little brother
His eyes all agog at this place
And mother with us all together

Image found at http://www.insajderi.com

A child in a manger

They had to get away

For she was pregnant

It just wasn’t safe there

Looking at her husband

He was the main arranger

He had shaved his beard

And paid their money over

Now they had nothing left

As they waited for a boat

To get away from danger

Hundreds like them gathered

To sail away from there

And find a brighter future

For freedom was their goal

To be their life changer

They boarded a tiny boat

Packed in huddled together

She and others were sick

Their water ration low

Some too spewed anger

Their boat when finally seen

Was diverted from their goal

Unloaded on a navalship

Taken to a distant shore

To house them in a hangar

Her baby made his move

Into this world must come

Taken to their promised land

A hospital bed for her

In the land of bush rangers

He husband was not there

Tired, scared and voiceless

Strange people helped her through

An Aussie child born one day

His cot was like a manger

This land settled long ago

By convicts and all such

Accepting most that came

Will now turn its back on them

For it fears this bad stranger

Image fro www.prettymomguide.com