Deliverance (for the world’s migrants)

If there be a god, may she grant you
a safe journey, the days quiet, nights gentle,
the earth beneath your feet firm, may the miles
melt, may the guides be fair, leave you unharmed,
if there be a god may she protect your children,
keep them near you, unscarred, may she bind
the tongues of border guards who demand
papers, for once may your flesh and heart suffice
to prove your worth, may politics sleep
for a thousand years as you cross, may the deserts
be kind, the seas calm.
 
May defeat not break your bones, destroy
your spirit, may the Ironwoods offer shelter,
the arms of Saguaros hold you if you fall,
may oceans carry you, may you arrive
with dignity, may documents fall from the sky
like soft rain into your hands, may you be met
with respect, may wisdom not die, may we reach
out our hands to you, may you not have to wait,
may you not be sent back, may your dreams
become our world.

Roxanne Doty