Migrants. There must – be – a better way

“Up to 500 people are still missing from a migrant boat that sank off Greece, the UN human rights office says.”
Georgios Vasilakos, a volunteer rescue doctor for the Hellenic Red Cross, told the BBC that no women and children were among the survivors.
He said survivors reported that “all women and children were isolated below deck”. (BBC)
Migrant. Water. Despair.
This strangest of days
between sunset and sunrise
the sea had come to call.
Came to wake Mother Nature
– near dead on her feet.
Now a world of water
will wash these weary corpses,
wind-and-weather-swept and discarded
– wash them far away.
Father and sister and brother lie dead
– between sunset and sunrise,
this strangest of days
where water will wash
even their tears away.
It seems we have slept a long time.
We sleep on.
Despite these endless and countless ghosts
who now – once again – must make
this silent complaint:
“There must – be – a better way.”
séamas carraher
20 june 2023
Image and Quotes (“fair use”) (BBC – 17 June 2023)
“Last month the Greek government came under international criticism over video reportedly showed the forceful expulsion of migrants who were set adrift at sea.”
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