Poem About Refugees At Sea: "Mirage"

This poem about refugees at sea explores the fragile nature of being human while fleeing one's homeland in fear of persecution.

These displaced souls must endure a different kind of suffering as their very survival hangs in the balance.

Take A Moment To Reflect

Beneath The Surface

I can't pretend to know the suffering experienced by refugees. This is my take on what the pairing of hope and despair might feel like. You may see it differently.

You may see catastrophe here. Or courage. Or freedom as an elusive quest only for the foolhardy.

Whatever you find in it becomes part of the poem.

The Feeling Of This Poem

This poem carries abject suffering, mirage as false hope, and the visceral sacrifice for a better life as relentless as the pounding sea.

It may resonate with those who are socially conscious or politically charged. 

A Quiet Pause

If you'd like to linger a while longer:

• Which image stayed with you?
• Is the outcome always worth the cost?
  
  
  
  

If This Stirred Something In You...

The International Rescue Committee, or IRC, is a worldwide nongovernmental humanitarian organization that helps those affected by disasters, conflicts, persecution, and climate change. There are a number of ways to get involved through volunteering, donating, and sponsorship. 

FAQs

Can I share your poems with others?

Yes! I love when my poems resonate enough that you want to share them. For personal use—like including a poem in a letter, greeting card or journal—you're absolutely welcome to do so. If you'd like to share online, I'd appreciate if you share a brief excerpt (a few lines) along with my name and a link back to this page, rather than copying the full poem. This helps other readers discover my work, which means the world to me as an independent writer.

Can I use your poems for commercial purposes?

Commercial use, adaptations, publications, or reproducing full poems requires my permission. Please contact me if you're interested in using my work in these ways—I'm happy to discuss it.

What if I just want to quote a line or two?

Brief excerpts with attribution are fine, especially if you're discussing the poem, using it for inspiration, or sharing what moved you. Just please credit me by name and link back to my site when sharing online.

Thanks for connecting with my poetry!