Winnie wrote this poem in response to her experience at Ellis Island, having heard the stories of of those who made the arduous journey:
To Start Anew
The fear.
The anticipation.
The grime covered bodies.
The worn out souls.
I feel the fear
Whisper thoughts in my head,
“You’re not coming in. You’re sick. That red spot, you’re sick. You’re not coming in.”
The taunting whispers rattle my thoughts
My eyes grow wide
As the anticipation grips me,
Like shaking my shoulders
Trying to wake me from a dream.
This is a dream.
I’m in heaven.
My hands are caked in I know not.
Proof of the journey that I have made.
Proof that I am not from here.
They try and remove it.
Cold sharp stings pound my body,
As my journey washes away,
Swirling at my feet.
I make no move to say goodbye.
At last I sit.
On wood which has serviced many before me.
Nearing entry to end and beginning,
I have been wiped clean.
Present here, now,
I am worn,But never enough to quit.
Your last line resounds to this day. You are a beautiful writer.
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