The Question

One million Syrian refugees;

their suffering should have shocked us all

but it was their mere arrival that sent a shockwave through Europe.

Their plight was not met with compassion,

no welcome with open arms.

Anti refugee sentiment rife,

so many have hardened their hearts.

Already answering the question 

thankfully not yet asked.

Nationalism, populism

A contagion spreading across the world.

If this is the response to only one million Syrians

how will the privileged world react when the greatest exodus begins?

If one million was a shockwave

How do you describe hundreds of millions climate refugees?

That one million will look like a ripple.

In the face of the desperate flight of migrants 

the countries of the world,

the people of the countries,

they have a choice to make.

The question is will we share what we have 

to save millions of lives?

Can we accept so called more brown folk

to keep these defenceless people alive?

Can we accept a more mixed and crowded country

so that they survive?

Can we put much less importance

on borders and the nation state?

Instead show solidarity for the whole human race.

There are only to answers;

We either takin those in need.

Or, may your god forgive us, 

we can do nothing,

we can leave them begging at our borders.

So - this is the question posed;

What do we do when the climate refugees come knocking?

When they come scared and starving?

What will we do?

Nothing?

In doing nothing we allow them to die.

In doing nothing, I put it to you, we commit genocide.