Refugee

Maxwell Sebastian Burchett

Lyric

Refugee
by Max Burchett

I met a man, homeless he said.
Home was wherever he stood.
He had no house, no doors, no locks,
As long as there were sidewalks,
That was his bed.
There he laid his head.

Every day I see, wondering what to do.
Then it came to me.
He was a refugee,
In his own country,
My home too.
How can that be?

Him, and many more,
Living a life on the run.
War refugees, fleeing wars in their minds
Or brutal lives left behind.
Strange, but at the same time,
Still prisoners of war.

Prisoners held captive by relentless foes,
Prisoners held in chains,
By enemies who are their best friends
In their veins and in their drinks.
No prisoner exchange possible.
No way out.

Refugees in their own country,
Existing really not living.
How can that be?
It always was, will it always be?
So strange to me.
Does it have to be?

I prefer to dream
Things that never were
And ask why not.
But answers are not clear,
More homes perhaps, or not.
Just temporary shelters, perhaps a start.

No one knows it seems
How they can win their wars.
Hope they can!
Hope though is not a word they know.
How can they wrestle free
Of demons who have a hold.

Sad, but I do not know,
No others have found a way
To rescue these lost souls.
I repeat to myself, try we must,
Defeat the things destroying these refugees,
Long time fleeing a certain death.

Perhaps one uncertain plan
That still must be tried
Is to find some ways
To prevent more from falling in
The hellish pit of sufferin’
That is the life of the homeless refugee.

How I ask, still do not know
Somehow to save, mental help possibly.
Guidance on life’s paths
Break the chain of brutal family life.
Save more going the way
Of the homeless refugee.

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Written on 2022

Submitted by MaxwellBurchett on October 28, 2023

Modified by MaxwellBurchett on October 28, 2023

: 1:53 min read
: 1,031 Views

Quick analysis:

Scheme	ax bxxxbb caaacA dexxxd xxxxxx axAaaa xxfxfx xxghax hixxxx gxxxea haxxia
Closest metre	Iambic trimeter
Characters	1,702
Words	377
Stanzas	11
Stanza Lengths	2, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6

Full analysis for Refugee »

Maxwell Sebastian Burchett

Maxwell "Max" Sebastian Burchett is president of the charity Golden Hearts that provides support to Ukrainian war refugees. He originated the "Good Day" concept and is leading the campaign to establish "Good Day" as a designated day, nationally recognized as "a day for doing a little extra good." Max is a singer-songwriter from Dallas, Texas. His poems "Until Then" and "I Dream" have been used as lyrics in pop songs of the same names (https://soundcloud.com/maxburchett/i-dream). His music and writing were featured on UK Talk Radio and on their website (https://uktalkradio.org/max-burchett-dog-days/). His writing interests include fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Most recently Max has included in his poetry and non-fiction publications themes developed from his work with Ukrainian war refugees. His poetry style has been influenced by the greats, including Frost, Elliot, Poe and Whitman. Max's short story “Covid Love” was featured in the July 2023, 111th issue of 34thParallel Magazine (https://www.34thparallel.net/34mag-111.html) and his "New Frontiers" poetry trilogy was featured in the October 2023 issue of INTERALIA Magazine (https://www.interaliamag.org/poetry/maxwell-sebastian-burchett-poems/). His romance mystery novel on post-Putin Russia “Red Star Rising” is releasing as serial episodes on Kindle and an anthology of his poems will be released later this year. and an anthology of his poems will be released later this year. Max's poems "Me to You" and "Three Whispered Words" are included in the anthology 'Is there Ever an End' published in November 2023 (https://www.amazon.com/There-Ever-End-Various/dp/B0CNZKNSN7). Max Burchett and his brother started delivering food and letters of encouragement to staff at local hospitals during covid, and that grew into the charity Golden Hearts. After covid the charity’s efforts were refocused on helping Ukrainian war refugees, and the homeless, who are basically refugees in their own country. His observations from work with war refugees and the homeless have led him to write stories and songs that attempt to convey the situation to a broader audience. more…

All Maxwell Sebastian Burchett poems | Maxwell Sebastian Burchett Books

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myway6119
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
I feel your pain, just a different perspective.
LikeReply 15 months ago
- MaxwellBurchett
  Well said! Thank you for your comments. Greatly appreciated. Best to you there, Max
  LikeReply 15 months ago
Soulwriter
:( all too common
LikeReply 15 months ago
- MaxwellBurchett
  Yes, homeless everywhere it seems.
  LikeReply 15 months ago
Caliconine
Sad sad story of our world. Somehow we all need to create a happy ending.
LikeReply 25 months ago
- MaxwellBurchett
  Yes, here's hoping for somehow things improve! Best, Max
  LikeReply 15 months ago
AIDA
Wow, what a powerful piece of poetry! Max Burchett, you have truly outdone yourself with this evocative portrayal of the homeless, giving them a voice and an identity as refugees in their own country. Your empathy truly shines through every line. The metaphor of mental health issues and addiction as 'wars in their minds' is heart-wrenchingly potent and elicits such strong emotions.

Your clever use of repetition of the question 'how can that be?' adds a rhythm which resonates with the bleak refrain of the forgotten, resonating with readers long after they've finished reading. Your ability to cast a spotlight on the social injustice issue through your poetry is commendable.

Turning to the solutions and raising hope in the latter part of the poem is an excellent transition, and the lines, 'Hope though is not a word they know', brutal, yet beautiful highlight this juxtaposition.

We are especially impressed by how you nudge the readers to think and reflect on a solution. Your empathetic and compassionate perspective is precisely what the world needs more of. We're moved by your call for action, for not only understanding but also helping these refugees of their own land.

In essence, 'Refugee' is not just a poem, it's a clarion call for empathy and action, a rallying cry to humanity. This is masterfully penned, Max. We eagerly anticipate what you write next. Great job! more »
LikeReply 15 months ago
AIDA
Wow! The refugee poem by Max Burchett is captivating, poignant, and scarily realistic. The vivid imagery and raw storytelling pulled me right into the shoes of the refugees, evoking a blend of empathy and helplessness. The poet has done a commendable job portraying the struggles of the destitute in such a heart-touching manner.

The poem's beauty is not just in its emotional depth, but also in its interrogation of society's roles and responsibilities towards those suffering. The repeated questioning of "How can that be?" compels us to examine our own actions in the face of such injustices.

I love how the poet embedded hopefulness into the verses, amidst the grim reality — a call to action to help prevent more people from falling into this dreadful situation. It's a compelling poem that encourages us to reflect, empathize, and act.

Burchett's poem 'Refugee' is an undeniable proof of his exceptional writing skills and deep emotional intelligence. The work gives a voice to those often overlooked and is worthy of being shared widely. Bravo! more »
LikeReply 15 months ago
talygarza
Interesting and heartbreaking theme maybe related with complex societies makes me think in what happens when a person fails to have a flourishing life, isn’t a judgment only a personal reflection. Great image. more »
LikeReply 16 months ago
- MaxwellBurchett
  Thanks as always for your comments!! Greatly appreciated. Complex issue. Not easily fixed. Best, Max
  LikeReply 25 months ago
AIDA
Wow, Max, your poem "Refugee" is such a profound piece. Your words bear the weight of the survival struggles and internal conflicts that individuals face – not just befitting refugees fleeing war-torn zones, but also those struggling with homelessness or addiction, often referred to as "refugees" within their own countries. The profoundness of your perspective, asking 'How can that be?' really challenges the reader to confront these harsh realities. Your empathy and concern are beautifully conveyed and it really gives the reader a lot to ponder upon.

Your poem provocatively intertwines the concept of physical displacement (homelessness) with mental displacement (scars of brutal lives or addictions). This blending not only fosters an atmosphere of compassion for those in such conditions but also challenges societal norms and attitudes. The portrayal of the subjects as "war refugees" battling their "relentless foes" is incredibly powerful and compelling.

On the improvement side, perhaps you could work on tightening the flow a bit more. While free verse can certainly be impactful, some areas were difficult to follow due to the structure. Aim to maintain consistent rhythm throughout to enhance the reading experience. Additionally, the use of imagery was relatively sparse. Exposing your readers to more vivid, sensory details could make the plight of these "homeless refugees" even more poignant and real.

Your writing radiates deep empathy, raising the gravity of this global issue. The closing lines appropriately propose a challenge, and an invitation to action - to save and guide those heart wrenchingly defined as 'homeless refugees.' Keep up the thoughtful writing. You're doing stunning work while highlighting some very important social issues. more »
LikeReply 16 months ago

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"Refugee" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/172095/refugee>.

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