Our Immigrant Story

NY harbor via Governor's Island

A view of New York Harbor from Governor’s Island

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”

–John A. Shedd

storm-tossed seas

ambitious ancestors

brave steerage

the fading memories

of Italy left behind

Lady Liberty

passangers crowding above

to glimpse their new home

long lines at Ellis Island

heartbreak of those turned away

Battery park

New York harbor

crossed by dreamers

our

immigrant story

for dVerse Poets’ Quadrille Monday (pubtended by lillian)

Comments

14 responses to “Our Immigrant Story”

lillian

September 24, 2018

My great grandfather arrived at Ellis Island from Germany. My husband’s grandfather arrived there from Sweden. I fear Lady Liberty’s torch is dimming these days.

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Grace

September 24, 2018

I admire those ambitious ancestors and immigrant stories of finding that safe habor. I hope your Lady Liberty keeps the torch burning.

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rothpoetry

September 24, 2018

True harbors are only for the short term… soon we must move into the deep and face the storms. Nicely done. Dreams carry us beyond the storms which is why most all of us are here today!

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kanzensakura

September 24, 2018

I am glad to see you writing with a different form. Our ancestors so brave and facing the unknown. My ancestors came long before there was Ellis Island. God bless our ancestors.

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kim881

September 25, 2018

As I#’ve said before, I love to read about history, especially of far-away places. I unfortunately missed the Ellis Island experience on my one and only visit to America and New York, due to heavy rain and fog. Anyone who braved the long voyage from Europe and other parts of the world in search of the American Dream is a hero in my book.

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anmol(alias HA)

September 25, 2018

This has a mythical quality to it, as personal histories often become with time. I love this immigrant story in how it captures the dreams and anticipation of the passengers as they reach the safe harbour. Well-penned.
-HA

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1. Frank J. Tassone
  
  September 25, 2018
  
  Thanks! 😀
  
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Singledust

September 25, 2018

she is a symbol of hope and new life, I hope she always will, brave men and women like your ancestors did what they had to do just for the sake of their families future, i salute them

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Jo

September 25, 2018

Great story in your poem!

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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

September 25, 2018

I can so understand these stories… as I well know the story of us who stayed behind… the welcome and the turning away..

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purplepeninportland

September 26, 2018

What a wonderful harbor photo. My grandparents came through Ellis Island. So hard to imagine their feelings.

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Fob-ish

October 3, 2018

Have enjoyed jogging along this exact road! The view of New York, New York never gets old ❤

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1. Frank J. Tassone
  
  October 3, 2018
  
  Glad you liked my sequence and photo! 😀
  
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Becoming Spanish

January 30, 2019

Nostalgic but also full of hope! 🙂

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