27 years ago today
My family of 5
Came to America on a plane
After a 5 month long
Immigration process

That started in the
Soviet Union
I was born in
Slutsk, Belarus USSR

For 6 years
Lived in the country
Then the upheaval happened
We took the train
To Austria

There we lived for 3 weeks
Only memory I have
Is of a forest where my mom
And I got lost in
I led the way out

4 months after was spent
In Santa Marinella, Italy
We were unsure
Where they would send us

The choices were to
Israel
Or
America

We had no citizenship
We belonged to the world
And yet no one at all
We were legal immigrants though

We didn't complain
We didn't fight
We were sent to
Stamford, Connecticut
Just as Reagan
Closed the borders to all

My family and I were blessed to be
Able to call this country home
27 years ago today
We arrived not knowing a soul

Today as I watch
This country deal with
Immigration issues
I think back to the time
It was us

And how different the
Pre-9/11 world was
The risks to our country's safety
Must be addressed

Immigrate here
Absolutely
That's what we're made up of
But do so legally
And it's ok to be checked out

Everyone is safer that way
You, me, our neighbors
Thinking about how far
27 years has led me

I'm proud to be an American

I pledge allegiance to the flag
Of the United States of America
And to the republic for which it stands
One nation, under G-d
Indivisible
With Liberty and justice
For all