World Refugee Day 2020 – Ary’s poem

20.06.2020

Metadrasi - metadrasi world refugee day 2020

Many times people ask us: How is the situation for unaccompanied children in Moria and other hotspots, on the streets of Athens where they are homeless? How do they live? How do they feel?

Today, on World Refugee Day, an unaccompanied child answers these questions: We share with you the poem written by 16-year-old Ary from the hotspot of Samos.


I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
I have more memory of u asking me how I am than of my dad telling me good morning

I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
I only feel sad when I have to breathe

I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
When I am on the street people run away from me, they do that ’cause I am a Black Man, African or Refugee?

I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
I look at normal people walking on the streets and I like pretending that I am one of them, that I have friends and that at the end of the day I go home and I get to be with my family

I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
Give me a chance

One day I had a nightmare and guess who was I?
I was a Black Man, African and Refugee

I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
I don’t have big dreams, but I do have dreams

I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
Is not that bad, “yes I don’t know what it’s like to have a family, what it feels like sleeping on a bed that is just mine, or not being sick for two weeks straight”, but at least I am still alive

I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
I am afraid of being happy ’cause I am not used to it

If someone asks you how disliked someone can be
Tell him that “I am a Black Man, African and Refugee”

I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
Is not fair.

I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
I know is not your fault

I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
The other day I felt so much pain I started to smile

I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
I am just a scared kid screaming for help, with my mouth shut

I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
Once I had a mom

I am a Black Man, African and Refugee
I miss my mom

Recent Posts

METAdrasi in the WELCOME 2026 Career Day

METAdrasi in the WELCOME 2026 Career Day

METAdrasi once again took part in the WELCOME 2026 Career Day, through its Stepping Stone programme. The event was organized by the Athens Coordination Center for Migrant and Refugee Issues of the Municipality of Athens and took place on March 31 at the Serafeio of...

read more
METAdrasi’s annual vasilopita

METAdrasi’s annual vasilopita

With joy, warmth, and plenty of delicious food from around the world prepared by the METAdrasi team, we celebrated our annual vasilopita cutting in our new offices. Slices were shared for all our teams and all...

read more