The following poem is written by a refugee claimant from the Congo who came to MCRS in 2011. 

I am a Human Being

 

I am a human being!

Not a human dying!

 

From the South of my home land,

Like a rat I’ve been chased,

From the river of my native soil,

I’ve been denied the right to drink,

Because of my different opinion,

My own people have rejected me.

 

I am a human being!

Not a human dying!

 

Coming to Canada for escape,

‘Claimant’ becomes my new nickname,

And refugee my new name,

Sleeping out on cold nights

For the immigration pricey recognition,

That goes to tribunal

 

I am a human being!

Not a human dying!

 

Humans we all are,

But discriminative we can become,

On the run, I am,

No lawyer will prove that,

Maybe MCRS can

My blood shakes

But uncompassionate,

Life can be.

 

I am a human being!

Not a human dying!

 

Is it true that I a refugee am?

Is it true that I ‘a Claimant’ am?

Is it true that I books cannot hold?

Is it true that I work cannot do?

Is it true that I less human am?

Is it true that I rights cannot have?

 

I am a human being!

Not a human dying!

 

Please hear my voice,

The voice of my children,

The voice of a breathing man,

The voice you don’t want to hear,

The voice of a human being,

Not of a dying being.

 

I am a human being!

Not a dying being!