The alien refugee

I am told they are not found

Until at least a human tries to flee

From one land across a sea

Then the threat is unreal

The guns come out to greet

These humans from the same planet

The alien now declared real

These illegal aliens with human hearts

Travelling to seek refuge

From a home unsafe to stay

Saddened to need a new home

Unlucky to find the lucky may not share

This shared planet earth

With plenty to share in diversity

Amongst a group of human beings

But no aliens live here on Earth

-Camille Delaquise

This poem appears in Behind the Facade, Camille’s debut contemporary poetry collection. The alien refugee speaks to the dehumanising language used against those seeking safety — exposing the cruelty of turning fellow human beings into outsiders on a planet that belongs to us all.

This poem is available as a contemporary poetry print on textured recycled card.