2008 Winner, Cameron Busby

“America is a Refuge”

By Cameron Busby

Tuscon, Arizona

 A small child holds out a hoping hand,

a crumb of bread,

or even a penny just to be fed

Hoping America is a refuge.

A child weeps over her mother's lifeless body,

the tears streaming down her face

Praying America is a refuge.

A child's torn sock blows in the wind,

as a bomb explodes the tiny sock catches a flame and begins to

burn to ash

Can America be a refuge?

A thirsty father and son seeking shade from the blazing sun,

all they want is a job

and for America to be a refuge.

America can be a refuge for you.

It can be a refuge for me.

I am glad that America is a refuge for all.