REFUGEES by Brian Bilston

refugees

WHO ARE THEY?

They are HOMELESS PEOPLE

They leave their countries to look for a better life.Their human rights are often violated because of

• their political opinion,
• their membership to a particular social group,
• their nationality,
• their race,
• their religion

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refugees

A poem by Brian Bilston

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Brian Bilston is calledThe Poet Laureate of Twitter and his poem "Refugees" was first published just on Twitter...

They have no need of our help So do not tell me These haggard faces could belong to you or me Should life have dealt a different hand We need to see them for who they really are Chancers and scroungers Layabouts and loungers With bombs up their sleeves Cut-throats and thieves They are not Welcome here We should make them Go back to where they came from They cannot Share our food Share our homes Share our countries Instead let us Build a wall to keep them out It is not okay to say These are people just like us A place should only belong to those who are born there Do not be so stupid to think that The world can be looked at another way

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Rifugiati Non hanno bisogno del nostro aiuto Perciò non dirmi che Questi volti scavati potrebbero appartenere a me o a te Se la vita avesse preso un’altra piega Dobbiamo vederli per chi sono realmente Opportunisti e scrocconi Sfaccendati e fannulloni Ideatori di attentati Tagliagole e ladri Non sono Benvenuti qui Dobbiamo farli Tornare da dove sono venuti Non possono Condividere il nostro cibo Condividere le nostre case Condividere il nostro paese Invece lasciateci Costruire un muro per tenerli fuori Non è bene dire di Queste persone «sono come noi» Un posto dovrebbe appartenere solo a quelli che vi sono nati Non essere così stupido da pensare che Il mondo può essere visto in altro modo

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Here is the poem in Italian

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Refugees is a very clever poem. It’s great for stimulating debate about young minds.

On a first read-through, the poem appears to be a criticism of refugees but the poem can be read in reverse order. It's in fact a reverse poem or upside down poem.

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Reverse poetry is a poem that can be read forwards (top to bottom) and have one meaning, but can also be read backwards (bottom to top) and have a different or opposite meaning. The topic of a reverse poem is usually something that has two opposite viewpoints or sides to it.

What is REVERSE POETRY?

This poem about refugees takes on a whole new meaning when you read it backwards

What is the message of the poem "Refugees" by Brian Bilston?

Bilston's poem advocates the need for empathy in welcoming those who are escaping unlivable circumstances in search of peace and prosperity.

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"Refugees" reminds readers to look beyond stupid stereotypes and to think twice before making unfair judgments about the less fortunate.

Migration, sharing, contempt for refugees, and opposite point of view are four major themes of this poem.

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About Brian Bilston

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Answer this question... What about the line at the end “A place should only belong to those who are born there”?

And now, here is a challenge 4 U!

Write a four or five-line poem which can be read both ways, i.g. about war...