A Small Child’s Question

“Father, why do they hate us so?” asked the small girl.
Her life was filled with drone strikes and bombing runs
by various of the major powers that rule the world.
She saw too many families had lost daughters and sons.

Her father replied, “Sunni extremists are waging war
both against us their countrymen and in foreign lands.
Their hatred has bred violence that all should abhor.
These men rejoice at blood soaking into our desert sands.”

The father’s fear for the safety of his wife and child
caused him to flee his war-ravaged land. Following weeks
of danger and hardships, his daughter finally smiled
as they reached a refugee camp and the safety it bespeaks.

“What will happen to us now, Father?” the small girl asked.
“We’ll go to the Land of the Free, where a lady proudly
stands at her shore with an upraised flaming torch held fast
to light the way as she proclaims her welcome loudly.”

For two long years the family underwent screening
first by a U.N. Refugee Agency, were amongst the few
accepted into a Resettlement Support Center, meaning
their re-vetting by five U.S. security agencies anew.

After passing all these screenings, interviews, then
medical exams, a location deemed suitable to settle
was chosen for them. They’d live in peace once again,
the father prayed. Their ordeal had tested their mettle.

Bravely they immigrated to the U.S. to begin the good life.
Weeks later, entering their mosque to pray they were aghast
to be met by Americans carrying signs of hatred so rife.
“Father, why do they hate us so?” the small girl asked.


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