LEE HOUSE 2025
Editors Note
Hello and welcome to the meticulous masterpiece that is our Lee House writing magazine Firstly, we would like to thank all the members of Lee House who have dedicated their time and effort to contribute this year, and we extend special appreciation to those selected for our final submission A huge thank you is due to Mr Dimbleby, who, having stepped in just a few months ago, has made tremendous efforts to convey that we cannot remain under the shelter of our usual ‘Brodie success,’ but rather need to make a big push regarding the Watson to dig ourselves out of last place We hope that this magazine will showcase the talents, creativity, and flair that fuel Lee House in all the ways that Lee House interprets them
With this year's theme of refuge, we encourage everyone in the house to reflect on the modern meaning of refuge, particularly given the much conflict occurring worldwide that leads masses of people to seek sanctuary. We have nurtured a more diverse understanding of refuge, embracing aspects such as emotional refuge and refuge in nature, with more to excite as one reads on
By being lucky enough to be a part of the editorial team, we have had the opportunity to indulge in the evocative pieces that Lee house has to offer, that vary in structure, size , shape and tone, exploring all aspects of refuge. With this we hope to have done justice to the creation of the magazine
Hold onto your hats, as we take you in our boat away into the world of refuge, where you can enjoy our exceptional pieces, and the excellence that is Lee house
Kind regards from the editorial team: Joshua, Matthew, Avaneesh, Abdullah, Risheet, Kajanan, Ben F, Muhammad, Harish, Adam, Chandler, Edward, Ben, Charlie, Will, Ismail, Kaushik, Ayaan, Oliver, Ben G, Ishan, Yash, Arya, Amogh
Escape
We Must Act
Refugee Parking List - More than Just Things
Always Moving
Open Your Eyes
Sanctuary Amidst Strife Refuge
The Story of a Family Beyond the Sea
To You Who Seeks The Refugee’s Journey
Are There Any More Brave?
Place Like Home Escape From the War Fight For Freedom
March 17th 2008 - Diary of a Flower March 3, 1942 Life
The Disappearance Dreams From Within the Camp Why?
Contents
Refuge From War
Mouse’s Diary
A Snail’s Refuge
Nature’s Weapon
The Mistreated Sanctuary Wrong Refuge
The Plight of Prey
Nature’s Touch
Komethakan
The Storm of All Storms Refuge - The Beginning of the End
Refuge In Nature
What is refuge? What is refuge?
Isgivingrefugeadutyoraburden?
Refuge,asputbyGoogle,is‘thestateofbeingsafeorshelteredfrompursuit,danger,ordifficulty’.ArefugeeaccordingtotheUnited NationsRefugeeConventionisaperson‘owingtoawell-foundedfearofbeingpersecutedforreasonsofrace,religion,nationality, membershipofaparticularsocialgroup,orpoliticalopinion,isoutsidethecountryofhisnationality,andisunabletoor,owingto suchfear,isunwillingtoavailhimselfoftheprotectionofthatcountry’
Thetopicofrefugeandrefugeeshasbeenaroundforawhile,andisstillrelevanttoday
Lastyeararound37,000peoplemadethe dangerousjourneyofcrossingtheEnglishChannelillegally,onlytobemetwithlongwaitinglistsforasylumseekers,andstatistics showthatonly52%areactuallygrantedrefugeestatus,andtherestareoftenforciblysenthome,backtotheverydangerstheyflee from Thatbringsupthequestionofwhetheritisadutyofourstogiverefugetothosewhoneedit,whetherweshouldevenbe allowedtosimplysendpeoplebacktotheperilswhichtheyhavetriedtoescape.
Yes,It’saDuty.
Youcouldarguethatitisamoralresponsibility.Ifweareabletogiverefugetosomeone,weshould.Thereareeveninternational lawssuchastheRefugeeActof1951,whichshowtheimportanceofthistopic,andemphasisethattheyshouldnotberefouled. There'salsomoretoitthanmoralityandlegality Itcanalsopropuptheeconomy Refugeesprovidemorelabourforjobs One exampleofthisisinSpain,wherelastyearitseconomysawagrowthof3%,muchabovetheEuropeanaverageof0.8%,andeven beatingtheUS with28% Thisgrowthhasbeenlinkedtoariseinforeign-bornworkers,manyofwhomarerefugees 45%ofall jobscreatedsince2022hadbeentakenupbythem,andtheynowaccountforover13%ofSpain’sentireworkforce
Ifsimplyallowingsomeonetostayinthecountrycanmakesuchabigdifferenceintheirlives,andalsobenefitthehostatthesame time,weshouldletit,right?
No,It’saBurden.
Ontheotherhand,youcouldarguethatitismoreofaburdenthanaresponsibility.Refugeesenteringacountrybringabouttheneed forhousingandbenefitstoliveoffof,whichcanbeexpensive In2023alonetheUKspent£42billiononhousingasylumseekers andrefugees.Thisaccountedfor28%oftheaidbudget,anditisexpectedthattheproportionwillonlyincrease,unlessan alternativesourceoffundingisfound Somemayarguethatthisisalotofmoney,andiftheUKstoppedacceptingasylumseekers andrefugees,thismoneycouldbespentbetterinotherareas.Somealsosayitposesasecurityrisk.Withoutproperbackground checks,somethinkwecouldpotentiallybeallowingpeoplewithcriminalbackgroundsandlinkstoextremistgroups.Refugeesand asylumseekerssometimesdon’tspeakthenativelanguageofthehostcountry,ornotveryfluently,whichcanleadto misunderstandingsbetweenthemandthelocalpeople.Andthentherearealsothoseinthepopulationthatarejustagainst immigration,forwhateverreasonandthingslikethesecanleadtorisingtensions,whichcanescalatetosituationswherepeopleare hurt,aswehaveseenbeforelastyearinSouthport.
Attheendofthedayit'simportanttorecognisethatthedecisiontoseekrefugeinanothercountryisn;tnecessarilyamomentary one,andtherearemanyeventsleadinguptothatmoment,andmanyfactorsthatareoutofthehandsofrefugeesandasylum seekers.Butmoreimportantly,weneedtorecognisetherefugeesarepeople,justaswearepeople,andsometimesweshouldn'tbe soquickastojudge.
Sheyon Lee 10
The Meaning
What is the meaning of refuge? Well, if you look in the Oxford dictionary it will say “Refuge, Noun. 1 a place or state of safety from pursuit, danger or trouble. 2 A traffic island to take refuge, to go somewhere or to do something that is protected ” But what is our definition of refuge, as secondary school students we have no voice but if we did what would we make it to be
If you ask me, this is my idea of refuge: Refuge is something that you seek and struggle for. Something you look for to escape from tough times and bad situations. Most people associate it with taking boats over deep seas away from war ’ s and earthquakes, but no one really picks up on the little but meaningful situations Refuge can be in our everyday homes, whether it’s you taking your dog for a walk because of tough times at home or if it’s fleeing from a vicious war Refuge is whatever makes you feel safe.
Jackson Lee 7
An Endless Walk
I walk this endless road, looking for someone to help me here
In an alien world I find myself, looking for some place to go Hiding a broken heart, separated from my family.
I left a breaking world, I left for some place better, Wish I could find somewhere new forever. Because I left this broken world, I left this place alone, Forgot my past traumas, forgot my empty dreams, Left for somewhere new, left for the truth, Thought this was better, supposed to be greater. Now I realise that this was all a lie.
I was left to be forgotten, left to be broken, Feel like I’m invisible, feel like a ghost.
Walking in a city, bursting with different paths And yet they close up, second I come near I’m forgotten in this broken world, I’m ignored eternally
Because I walk this endless road, I walk my path
The only option available to me
I walk this ghostly road, in the middle of a desert
Stranded alone in a sea of millions, Another one to sink below, forgotten
This endless road, this eternal suffering, this broken world I find myself sinking below the surface, where no-one can hear me, see me
I just wanna be seen, be given a second chance Just want another go in this world so cruel But I’m fighting alone, fighting everyone No-one can hear me, no-one wants to I think alone, I’m seeing ghosts
I walk on this broken world I see so many others
I see a path, a broken path
I walk this endless road, looking for some place to go, I walk this broken path, I walk below the surface
I walk forever, strolling through alone for eternity
I look for some place to go, I look for another place to go
Hoping that someone will help me out.
Need to be found in this broken world.
Archie Lee 9
The Quiet Cabin
A cabin by the pines, trees standing strong It has a few sturdy walls, time-weary woodwork, and a gaping mouth The stone chimney lets out thin smoke like a silver thread in the air while the smell of cedar burning fills the cool air. The world outside is always on the move – branches creak, leaves rustle, the river gurgles, and rattles on its long journey to the seaside – but this cabin is a world of rest. A fire crackles and burns in the hearth casting flickers of light off the wooden walls which shiver in its warmth. An aged rocking chair to which a woollen blanket is draped sways slightly as if it is aware of its privilege to offer the warmth of its benefactor. Outside, the elements are stirring drops drum on the glass like little taps at the entrances of the house. Yet, the cabin stands strong, a refuge from the chaos outside. In this small, quiet space, there is solace in the stillness of the flames and in the sense of comfort emanating from a book resting on the arm of the chair Therefore, it is simply so quiet that one can hear the forest sleeping outside
Joshua Lee 12
The Wretched
The year was 2095 and the streets were overrun by hordes of soulless human-like creatures, The Wretched. The Wretched wandered aimlessly looking for any last survivors from judgement day, the day when these creatures took out all life on earth. No-one knows why, or where they came from Hana was the only survivor
Hana was 12 when this happened, her life before is a distant memory She couldn’t remember her family’s faces as they blurred in her mind, feeling an eternity away The Wretched had destroyed everything she loved, and now, fuelled by the rage of her family’s death, she must find a way to annihilate these zombie-like creatures
Hana lived in an old shack on the outskirts of the desolate city, she had never been found by The Wretched, and hoped it would stay that way
One day, whilst she was sitting, sharpening a homemade spear made out of an old sheet of metal and a planked carve of wood, a creak shattered the silence She looked up to see a face so horrifying at the door They weren’t words in the English dictionary to describe such a sight, but I’ll give it a try Its skin had a greyish hue, crawling in scars whilst its mouth seemed to be a creature in its own right Moving swiftly, Hana picked up her spear and propelled it into the eye of the creature; the anger of what the creatures had done to her family, her planet, her life, fuelled her strike As the creature hit the floor with a thud, she quickly gathered her things Her home was no longer safe
Hugo Lee 7
The Lighthouse
The lighthouse:
A refuge, a haven in the endless hostile waters off the English Coast; a sanctuary of warmth and comfort, yet one of solitude.
The lighthouse:
A place where outsiders go to retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life, a place for those who recoil from human contact, instead preferring the endless days spent with man’s best friend
The lighthouse:
A solid standing, a foundation of strength, a fortress of protection against a swirling storm, lashing waves and a wall, standing mighty against the elements, all night and day Stood mighty, like a postbox in a snowstorm, it shows no signs of wavering
Those who look through portholes see only a glimpse into the conditions outside, the battered rocks suffering an endless onslaught of ice-cold salt water, eroding every crevice, a force to be reckoned with, finding only one weakness in order to gain entry
The lighthouse:
The constant fight for survival on the outside, and inside, a place where time stops, the only marker of the onslaught of time is when to change the next lightbulb, or to restock supplies of sustenance;
The contrast of a fast-paced fistfight for survival on the outside, to the slow-moving march towards the next extraordinary event, life becomes a waiting game
The lighthouse:
A place of simplicity, a provider of peace, a world locked off from the online, a place where communications can never be instant, a world free of the worry of social judgement.
The lighthouse; a fortress of retreat, a place of refuge for those who need it, a refuge from society, and a refuge from Mother Nature.
Ben Lee 12
Safe at Sea
Drifting along, safe at sea,
I often wonder what the world could be Could it be different down in Peru? Or would there be more things to rue?
I still feel the tremor, From the same land I remember
If you ever wonder where I’ll be, I’ll be drifting along, safe at sea
Iñaki Williams is a 30 year-old professional footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish LaLiga Iñaki was born and raised in Bilbao, and has played for the club since the age of 18 Despite having lived in Spain all his life, Iñaki chooses to represent Ghana internationally, having played 21 games for the national team This is because his parents, Felix and Maria Williams, come from Accra in Ghana, nearly 3,000 miles away The story of how his parents arrived in Spain, however, is shocking
In the 1990s, Felix and Maria made the decision to emigrate to Spain in search of a better life They decided to make the risky choice of paying human traffickers to take them across the continent. The couple, along with 40 others, were driven across West Africa, stuffed in the back of an open-topped truck. They faced harsh conditions such as sweltering heat of up to 50 degrees and a severe lack of personal space. Little did they know that the worst was yet to come. When Felix and Maria thought that conditions couldn’t possibly get any worse on the journey, disaster struck. The human traffickers that had been paid to drive the truck up to the Mediterranean coast decided to kick their passengers out and drive back home, leaving them stranded in the middle of the Sahara Many of the passengers immediately accepted their fates There was no way they could still make it to their destination, walking hundreds of miles across the largest sand desert on the planet without any food or water? The odds were stacked against Felix and Maria, who decided to make the journey: they had to walk across the Sahara barefoot in 50 degree heat, surviving the scorching days and freezing nights Many of the other passengers gave up and were killed by severe dehydration or the searing heat However, Felix and Maria had a dream The dream of a better life They would stop at nothing to achieve that dream, even if it meant making such a grueling journey They were determined to reach their destination, walking day and night and living off whatever they could salvage Eventually, they completed their journey, ending up in a Spanish enclave in Northern Africa called Melilla
The remaining migrants, including Felix and Maria, climbed over the border fence and entered Melilla The journey, however, had not finished yet They were all detained by the civil guard in Melilla and sent to the local jail It dawned on the couple that they would be sent back to Ghana the next day - their harsh, treacherous journey all for nothing But Felix and Maria would not give up that easily Whilst imprisoned, they met an English-speaking lawyer who gave them a crucial piece of advice The couple tore up their Ghanaian papers and lied to the court, saying that they were refugees, fleeing the war in Liberia The judge believed them and gave them political asylum in Spain, where they settled in Bilbao It was only later that Maria found out that she was pregnant with Iñaki during the course of their journey, which only adds to her and her husband’s great achievement. During Iñaki’s early years, Felix went to work in London, with Maria working two or three jobs at a time, to provide for their child, who would eventually become the fastest footballer in Spain and represent Ghana on the world stage. Iñaki Williams would not be the man he is today without his parents’ perseverance and determination. This incredible story just goes to show that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. It may be difficult, and at times may feel impossible, but as long as you believe in yourself and never give up, you can do it
TheVillageGirl
Thevillagegirlclungtoherscarfassheslippedalongonthesidewalk
Sleetandsnowfellfromthestormyskylikesilentbulletsworkingto boreholesinherskull Itmeltedonherfaceandthewaterrampagedacrossit,workingtodefeatthewarmtearsthatwerenowflowing Yet thetearsweresilentasshestillheldhersobs,continuallybraveinherstruggles Theshadowsofskyscrapersseemedtogetbiggerasshe passed Theyloomedoverher,waitingforamistake,forachancetostrike Thecoldwasgettingtoher Ithadbeguntosinkintoherbones Whywasitnotaffectingthefacelessbusinessmeninsmartsuitsorthemanwhosleptsoundlyinthealleydressedonlyinrags?Hershivers becamemoreviolent.Hersensescollidedinhermind,overwhelmingher.Thesoft,chillingtouchofaroguesnowflakeonherarmcontrastedwith thesearingpainofthesub-zerosleet;thesoundofagarbagetruckreversingintoabackstreetcombinedinherbrainwiththeangryblaringof carhorns;thesightofherbreathcondensinginfrontofherfaceandtheslightsmellofurineallwoveanimageofdespairinherpsyche Her headbegantospin Shewasquicklyengulfedinhernewfoundenemy Thistimethetearsdidnotcome Therewasnowarmthinher The snowtastedvictoryandbegantopillageandplunderherbody
Adoortoherrightswungopenandshewashitwithabreathofwarmthandtheslightsmellofroastedcoffeebeans
Thevillagegirlstillclungtoherscarfasshewokewithastarttothegentlehumofwhisperedconversationandtheetherealcrackofthe fireplaceinthecorner Shewasjoltedtoattentionwhenaladyattablesixburstintoraucouslaughter Shefeltsurprised,forshehadnotonce heardlaughterorfireorconversationinthecityandthesoundswereforeigntoherears Shelookedaround Intricatepiecesofartworkhung fromthewalls,sodetailedandsoperfectthatshecouldhavemarvelledatthemforever.Abookshelf,solargeshecouldhavelostherselfinit foryears,wasrestingonthefarwall.Small,complicated,intriguingmachineshissedfromthecounter,whilealargemanwasejectingsmall, blackbeansintothem Shelookedathimclosely Hewasthickandheavysetandthecolourofcocoa,andhiswarmsmileseemedtomeltaway theremnantsofthesnowstillresilientlyclingingontoherface Shefeltherselfbeamingbackathimandthishappinessmadeitswaytoher thoughts Shethoughtoftheserendipityoffindingaplacewiththesameebullientambianceofherhomeinthemidstofthemiserablecity As thiscrossedhermind,herheadturnedtostareoutatthestreetfromwhenceshecame Asparkling,whitecarpetofsnowhadnowsettledon thepavementandshewasamazedatitsbeauty Whatwasherenemytenminutesearlier,wasnowthemostdazzlingdisplayshehadever seen Itspurityandperfectionwasrudelyinterruptedbyobliviouspassers,withcrunchingfootstepsandviciouscartires
Withherrenewedrespectforthesnow,thevillagegirltookashakybreathandsteeledherself Shethoughtofthemanwhosleptonlyin ragsinthesnowyweather Shedonnedhertrustyscarf,grittedherteethandleftthecoffeeshop,withthesolegoalofbringingher newfoundrefugetootherswhoneedit RisheetLee12
Earth review from an alien refugee
I came to Earth about one human year ago after my planet Zoblorb was taken over by the Yanger species I came, as the humans call it, a refugee I and my family of 192 Zoblorbs came to earth for a new chance at life We knew it was going to be difficult but certainly not impossible
It was impossible
We came filled with hope and prospects for our new life on this new planet We showed great kindness and appreciation to the human species for allowing us to enter their world However, they did not show the same gratitude
At first, the humans were welcoming to our species and enjoyed our company. But then they put us to work. We worked, tirelessly for hours just to be told that all our work was meaningless as we “weren’t good enough”. Our species thought that we were simply being treated as regular humans, we employers. And then it all clicked.
These humans weren’t being kind in employing us, not at all! They were studying us, making us do all sorts of monotonous, tedious tasks and giving us nothing to eat simply because we weren’t from Earth
Then, they started telling the humans all sorts of lies and propaganda about us They said such false information like “The aliens are eating our pets” and dreadful things like that We were driven out of the planet and now have to live on the moon - it has terrible wi-fi!
⅕ stars, would not recommend
James Lee 9
A never ending war
I laid awake as I so often do It was a Monday night: nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary Outside, I could hear a war raging in the sky The artillery of thunder fought a close battle against the pellets of rain
I hated the rain
It was deceitful It slithered down the windows with such elegance, yet it pounded the ground with the force of giant I had spent another day on the battlefield, feeling the brute, merciless force of the rain As I moved to check the time, pain ricocheted through my back; harsh evidence of yesterday’s onslaught I knew soon these cuts would soon join the clan of scars which crawled over my delicate body I could only see out of one eye, around the other was a bulge, as a black as coal
It was a Monday night: nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary
The enemy was growing stronger, becoming more merciless It delivered its onslaught with a valley of blows, each one equally as fierce and fiery as the next
There was no escape.
Every route to freedom was a dead end. Every hiding place was in the enemy’s plain sight. Every bullet fired rebounded back into your own path. As the sun began to peek its way over the horizon, I could sense the enemy awakening. The rain felt as if it was coming closer. I knew I had to brace myself, be strong, be brave.
Just as I thought the enemy may have passed, the attack began A CRACK which engulfed the battlefield followed a cascade of blows I knew there was nothing I could do but wait for the storm to pass
A few moments later, it could have been seconds, it could have been hours, I opened my eyes The attack had opened a series of old cuts and my clothes were dotted red as a result My little finger screamed for help, as it began to inflate like a life jacket But I didn’t care Momentary freedom was around the corner The military hospital was my safe haven
Except this enemy didn’t have guns, or wear khaki overalls This enemy had raven-black hair, a smile which would deceive even the most observational, a title which was true only in medical terms: mum
Except this rain didn’t fall from the sky, it didn’t soak through to your skin This rain came in the form of a series of blows, verbal and physical This rain sucked the happiness from your life like a leech
Except this hospital didn’t have beds, or nurses, or bandages This hospital carried the symphony of happy children, in its blood ran classrooms, and teachers Those school gates signified my safety It could not rain within those walls
Oliver Lee 13
Dreams
A net of safety is what we seek, The net, flawless woven thick, The reality of the net, the truth so bleak, A homestead erected, brick by brick, In the end, it all falls down,
Unnoticed by everyone not even a blink, A lonely traveller in a giant town, A path uncertain, smudged ink, This sonnet here I honestly write, I may not understand I cannot relate, Yet a future unfolds it shines so bright, The message must be spread, I cannot wait, The Future may look bleak, its not how it seems
A land of promise, nurture, a land of dreams
Joshua Lee 9
A fragile hope
A ball of fire burnt brightly in the settling dusk, casting vibrant hues of reds, oranges and yellows over the endless rows of tents In the hot dry desert air, the camp was silent, the fragile peace occasionally interrupted by the shouts of childrenplaying football with a blown up pigs bladder they found in the wreckage of a barn My gaze wandered beyond the sea of dunes where the smoking ruins of my home barely stood, silhouetted against the vermillion sky Thousands had fled the once prosperous city of Alvagroth, and more fled each day What was once a bustling city, was now a desolate wasteland, blasted to rubble by its own country Ominous rumbles and bright flashes systematically illuminated the horizon; I sighed - the bombs had been falling for days
On the other side of the camp, a series of bone chilling screams suddenly shattered the fragile peace I winced - someone was on the operating table 3 months ago, I was lying there, a victim of a crumbling building and had to be sent there The surgeon was a kind man but the hospital had been destroyed so a ramshackle hut had been hastily created Even though this wasn’t much, it was always full There was never a shortage of patients as everyday a stream of new refugees entered the front gates of the camp - tired, distraught and homeless.
I turned back to the horizon, facing the dying sun, watching as the shadows crept over the camp like ghostly silhouettes. Slowly, the few lights in the camp flickered on, creating a temporary reprieve against the fading light. As the last crimson hues began to flicker over the horizon, a pale eerie light glimmered from the opposite direction
I tore my gaze back to the crumbling towers that had once touched the sky Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the earth and a sudden flash overloaded my senses, almost blinding me Then a giant shockwave flung me off my feet As I regained my a sight, I thought I was hallucinating -
For above the empty horizon where my home once stood, there were two suns in the sunset
Our mind at rest
In a cosy corner where we meet, A safe place awaits, where friends and one can greet.
Within these walls, we find calm seats, A refuge where we can catch our beats
Under branches, where sunlight filters through,
Nature calms us gently, chasing away the blue
When tranquillity finally comes into view, For a peaceful moment, we finally feel true.
When the storms of life approach and troubles start to rise,
We seek out refuge, where hope never lies
With friends who care, we find the strength to seize,
Together in our safe space, we plan our hopeful deeds
Gaurav Lee 9
Internal Refuge
All of us take refuge from ourselves
All of us at some point in our lives have said “I can’t do X” or “I will fail if I do Y” All of us have heard motivational speakers, and being subject to a positive influence from people who are the epitome of hard work and determination does indeed help motivate us to strive for greatness and do better Some of us will become motivated the first time we hear this More of us will become motivated the next few times.
But what about some of us who just lack any form of motivation at all?
Those of us, we turn back and our heads lay low. Those of us who listen but do not take action, are the ones who are left in the dust Whether it be through motivation to revise for exams, or motivation to fight back against oppressors, some of us seek refuge from the challenges of life and remain silent
Our peace and quiet, our ‘introvertedness’, these are the spoils of us taking refuge from challenges But deep down, there is the voice of regret Regret is a feeling that all of us have experienced and will experience in our lives.
Ismail Lee 13
A Man and his Wife
A man and his wife, With a boy and his life, Living peacefully, Living clear of strife.
Until in the dark of the night, Missiles rained down, And the man lost his life, This was surely not right.
The boy was only six, While the mother lost her wits, And soon they ran, She couldn't escape, similar to the man.
The boy fled, Traumatised, yet alive, He pleaded for help, Yet no-one was in sight.
He found his way to the port, He begged to go and leave, Where he may meet a better fate, And left after bidding farewell
Sailing across the massive ocean, He reached and saw, An urban place, which was his utopia, Another chance at life
He walked and walked, Then went into court, Coming out a citizen, Coming out with a new life
Next thing he knew, He was gifted a dwelling, Looking at the sights of Singapore, With the least of stress anymore 10
Mushaf Lee 8
Don’t Panic
Find a calm refuge,
Whether if it’s high up in the clouds, Or low down below the ground, There is always a place of refuge,
You just have to look left and right, Up and down,
You can find refuge at sea , And find refuge with glee, There are many people along the way, And many of them are willing to help, So don’t be disheartened if you can’t find refuge, Because there is refuge all around, With the people who you meet along the way.
Hezekiah Lee 7
Refuge From Life
I’ve come home from school today; I want to hide away.
The last refuge
This place, my mind; the only safe space from that world out there They talk to me, throwing salt at all my burdens… I should pay them no attention, after all, life’s a journey, I should stay on my path and learn to laugh You think they heard me?
I bury myself in mindless scrolling;
It’s eating at my brain.
I’m unaware of my surroundings
I do nothing but waste away, Video games, TV Shows, anything to keep me sane.
Life throws me in the ring
“Hands up ” , before I’m hit
So I sit, lost, seeking refuge from it all
There’s no motivation or feeling, Just a dark, endless hall
I seek refuge from my boredom, I seek a feeling, everyday I find shelter within my phone, I do nothing but waste away
My Phone is taken, My very Core, Chaos ensues!
It makes no more sense
I have no more shelter,
But I seek refuge in some corner, So I stare, dazed, at my wall, Finding shelter in my mind
My mind becomes my home,
I search the deepest corners
And so, in my zombie-like state, I do nothing but waste away
Ekundayo Lee 11
Maybe Maybe I should take a new route, after all life can’t get any worse, can it?
My doctor, my therapist, say something funny's going on up in my house Maybe I should move out The doc says I'm losing my mind, always overreacting, thinking about what people say I’m “under the weather”? But wind isn’t blowing Paranoia? What did I do wrong this time? That's people for you Very loyal? They should’ve had my back But they put a knife in it instead
I’m not insane
I’m the only sane one left, the last refuge is my mind What's the point of having guns if you can't aim? What's the point of having blood with no veins? What's the point of having love with no pain? Ruminating, I’m filling balloons up full of doubt I can feel them weighing on me every day, maybe I should just let them float away It's time to listen Keep it closed
Wait What's that sound, footsteps, knocking? No it's just my mind fooling me again again Laughing? Perhaps I should But I’m not That sound is hollow, empty. Is anyone listening to it? Is anyone listening to me?
The outside world? Maybe it's gone Maybe it's just me I’m the only one left, aren’t I? They all left They all left They all left me It's fine In here Inside of here, my head I’m safe, no one can hurt me. The last refuge.
But why do I feel like the one disappearing?
If I close my eyes, maybe, I can blend in with the darkness. Maybe if I keep my eyes closed long enough, I’ll wake up somewhere else Someone else Maybe Maybe I’ll just vanish, never to be seen or heard from again That was the plan to begin with, right? No
That's my new plan To be the only one left in this world The only sane one left The last refuge
‘Til Kingdom Come
Refuge Refuge Refuge
The longing to be safe
Homeland’s peace shatters, thunder at large
And yet we still meander through the fields of wisdom, Carrying amongst them the weight of Hiraeth
In search for sanctity in a kingdom
Where all is free
We chase this dream
Emitted from the mind
For this is not freedom, nor sanctity, but an unoriginal stream
Formed from the hatred
That needs a rewind
To a time where all for all, not one for one, but all are elated
For this is safety, where all is free
Refugee Kid
Liebes Tagebuch,
Mein erstes Jahr auf der Highschool begann ich mit einem neuen Spitznamen: "Refugee Kid“ Ich wusste nicht, was das bedeutete (vielleicht, weil ich gerade erst angefangen hatte, Englisch zu lernen). Ich wusste nicht, ob es gut war. Oder ob es schlecht war. Nur, dass mein neuer Name "Refugee Kid“ war Ich bin zufrieden, wenn die Leute lächeln und (mit mir) lachen, wenn sie an mir vorbeigehen, selbst wenn ich keine Witze mache; das ist definitiv besser als dort, wo ich herkomme, wo die Leute in grimmigem Schweigen vorbeigingen und keinerlei Anzeichen von Interesse für mich zeigten. Ich versuchte, Gespräche mit den Leuten anzufangen, aber sie lächelten mich auf verschiedene Weise an, Lächeln, mit denen man Mitgefühl für jemanden zeigte, Lächeln, die nicht so einladend wirkten … Ich glaube, ich fand diese „Arten“ von Lächeln nicht so befriedigend, also hielt ich einfach für mich selbst und ließ sie mit mir lachen, wenn ich an ihnen vorbeiging Gestern kam jemand aus einer größeren Gruppe von älteren Jungs auf mich zu und fragte, ob ich in einem "Council House" wohne (ich glaube, das hat er gesagt?) und ob ich wüsste, was "Money" ist. Ich wusste nicht, was er meinte, also schüttelte ich den Kopf, und das löste sofort einen Lachanfall aus Er musste einen lustigen Witz erzählt haben, also lachte ich mit – bis sie ohne ein weiteres Wort davon gingen Ich finde mein neues Leben in England sehr fröhlich und aufregend, und ich glaube, ich habe jetzt viele neue Freunde, die Spaß daran haben, Witze mit mir zu machen. Morgen ist meine erste richtige Schulstunde, und ich bin sehr gespannt, was wir lernen werden
Von Harish
Harish
Dear Diary, I started off my first ever year in high school with a new nickname- the “refugee kid” I didn’t know what it meant(maybe because I only just started learning English) I didn’t know if it was good. Or if it was bad. Only that my new name was “refugee kid”. I feel content to see people smile and laugh( with me) as they walk past me, even when I’m not making any jokes; it’s definitely better than where I came from, where people walked past in grim silence, showing no signs of interest to me. I tried starting conversations with people, but they would show me different kinds of smiles, the smiles that are used to sympathise with someone, the smiles that didn’t feel as welcoming I guess I didn’t find these ‘types’ of smiles satisfying, so I’ve just kept to myself and let them laugh at me when I walk past them. Yesterday, someone came up to me from a group of taller, older boys and asked if I lived in a ‘council house’( I think that’s what he said?) and if I knew what ‘money’ is I didn’t know what he was saying, so I shook my head, and this immediately caused a rupture of laughter. He must have been saying a funny joke, so I laughed along with them- until they moved off without another word I find my new life in England very cheery and exciting, and I think ‘I’ve now’ got many new friends who have fun making jokes with me. Tomorrow is my first proper school lesson, and I am very excited to find out what we’re going to be learning about
From Harish
Lee 12
Abuse Aid
Domestic abuse has been rising in the UK significantly in England and Wales In the year ending March 2024, 1 6 million women and 712,000 men aged 16 and over faced domestic abuse The number of victims has been rising but not many reach out for help This small leaflet is to point directions for services to help these victims
Women can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0909 2000 247 1.
Talking to a Health Professional is always welcome like your local GP 2.
Men can call ManKind on 0182 334 244 (Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm) 3
Anyone call call Karma Nirvana on 0800 5999 247 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) for forced marriage and honour crimes 4 In an emergency, call 999 5
Remember, you can always email as well at: 6 helpline@womensaid org uk (for women) info@mensadviceline org uk (for men)
Members of the LGBTQ+ community can email help@galop.org.uk
If you yourself are worried that you are behaving abusively, for advice, please call Respect Phoneline on 0808 802 4040 for advice If you know anyone who is facing them, please give them time to talk and listen to them Don’t tell them to leave the relationship (that’s their decision) but try helping them by persuading them to go to organisations that offer help for those experiencing domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is on the rise and if you are facing any problems, please contact any of the above and if you know someone who is having problems, please look after them and check up on the NHS website for advice Let’s make sure domestic abuse is a problem of the past!
Kaushik Lee 13
Scrolling
Jana’s phone screen growls in the dark, illuminating her drowsy eyes
The rest of the apartment is silent, spare for the rhythmic hum of the refrigerator and the occasional siren or horn from the busy street below She is curled up on the couch, wrapped in an old knitted blanket, she is scrolling, endlessly scrolling.
Her feed, an unrelenting tide of funny animal videos, silly dances and miserable news. All completely irrelevant to Jana. She keeps scrolling, not able to remember the last video the second she starts the next. She cannot look away.
Her life has become unbearably still. The job she once loved has dissolved into endless meetings and emails filled with fake civility. Her friends, all moving on new jobs, university and extravagant holidays. Meanwhile, she remains stuck in limbo, her own ambitions shelved somewhere behind her anxiety and fear
Scrolling allows her to be numb, to forget everything going on around her She can forget her responsibilities, her failures It provides a refuge of sorts
She scrolls past an article about rising rent prices and another about global warming She should be sleeping She should be doing something productive But the weight of expectation crushes her
Her phone buzzes: a message from mum "Hi Jana, we haven’t spoken in a while Are you ok?"
Jana stares at it for a moment, thumb hovering over the banner She could type ‘’I’m fine’’, she should type it Instead she swipes up and keeps scrolling War, a cute dog, a celebrity scandal
Her breathing shallows, a video about productivity, a rush of shame seeps into her Feeling her inadequacy as the video briefly pulls her back into her room out of her other world, she scrolls on
A low battery warning wins her attention She checks the time; it's been 2 hours Lena looks up, eyes scanning for the charger The apartment is the same as it has been all night: dim, cluttered, silent The knitted blanket has slipped off her shoulder, pooling around her waist The only movement, the flicker of her phone screen She gets up, legs stiff, mouth dry Frantically she searches around, upheaving the mess of the apartment, looking for her charger
Simultaneously she carries on scrolling The sound of her movement drowns out the phone, she raises the volume
She finds the charger, the phone dies, she plugs it in She feels everything come flooding back to her, pressure, guilt from wasting time and the worry about her performance review tomorrow. It is silent, she hates the silence, it makes her feel uneasy and strangely scared. It gives her a tight queasy feeling in her gut. Jana is overwhelmed, she has just wasted 2 hours on nothing. It is cold and uncomfortable sitting on the sofa in the mundane stillness, waiting for the phone to flash back to life.
Finally, after an agonising wait, the phone springs to life and she plunges back into the feed. A sense of ease spreads through her like a drug. And she keeps scrolling…
Charlie Lee 12
The Greatest Refuge
Death is the last experience for all, a sight seen by almost all, and that was no different for the man, apart from the fact he wasn’t a man when he saw death An argument and a mistake saw his relative taken by the hooded figure, which came late at night and dragged the body away to the ground
From that day, the boy was scared of the cloak; it symbolised a change, an end and the final stop of life The boy became a man and saw death many a time over media that he could never drown out, never overlook, never forget He dealt with his troubles privately and tried to push them aside whilst leading a normal life, until death appeared to him again This time a distraction, an accident, and the hooded figure took another But this time, the cloaked darkness looked at the man who was watching, and what the man saw was terrifying
It didn’t take long for the man to disappear, to go off grid, to find refuge from death An island few knew about, an island that wasn’t polluted by the human foot, became his refuge Loneliness leads to meditation, and after decades of peace and tranquillity in isolation the man came to a judgement The lack of life to be taken and the lack of communication with couriers of death meant he hadn’t seen or heard from the force in the cloak for a long time Only carrying his life made it irrelevant to death as the man's time was not up yet However, the man knew it was coming
The years of being confined to his thoughts had let him come to the acceptance that death wasn’t something to be feared; it was just a part of his small, dwindling time on the rock he lived on. He returned to the place that the boy had called home This was where he called death, and death came and greeted him For many, it is a cold embrace, an embrace which few want and one that none should seek But for this man, he was done hiding in his refuge, and he was led to the unmarked box under the earth A silent ceremony occurred, for those who had known him had forgotten him In his coffin, he didn’t have consciousness, no feelings, no thoughts, and nothing could harm him He didn’t know it, but his island wasn’t the greatest refuge he could have found; the only refuge where he could no longer be hurt, scared or tainted by his thoughts was the refuge given by death
Nathan Lee 10
Refuge From War
Escape
It’s a wasteland in here, I’m not safe, I'm full of fear. Rubble everywhere I turn,
Freedom is the one thing I yearn. The feeling of getting my family out, For their security, not for the clout.
We’ll travel so far away, Where the sky is blue, not grey
Where the lilies and roses bloom, With no fear of impending doom
Oh, how I hope this place exists, Where people use their words, not their fists.
I hope they accept us as we are, Regardless, we have come from far.
They’ll look after us,
Not make an enormous fuss. They won’t make us go home, And we’ll appreciate the love they’ve shown
Tomorrow we will slip away, On a boat, I’ll lead the way
We must act
On one stormy night, Poor souls forced to fight, People gather in the night, All waiting for a great light, What they need is a safe place to call home, People there to let them know they’re not alone, Their old homes wrecked or forced out from war, Kind souls step forward and open their front door, Actions like this keep people's faith in humanity, Keeping the less fortunate from a path of insanity, This is no laughing matter,
Many families forced to scatter, Step forward, be the bigger person, Think about saving someone before things can worsen, Consider these words and pave a path of new beginning, Everyone deserves to keep on winning, Let's unite and step up to make the world a better place, No matter what background, gender or race,
Spread my message for the greater good, Stand there proud as you should, Stand at the end of your life knowing you saved countless souls, And die happy and the world with less holes
Anthony Lee 9
No idea where we’ll go, But it’ll be better than here, that's what I know.
Because,
It’s a wasteland in here, I’m not safe, I’m full of fear
Matthew Lee 12
Refugee Packing List – More Than Just Things
Essentials for Survival:
Passport/ID – Proof of who you are, even when the world forgets.
Cash & Documents – Money, birth certificates, and any legal papers, tightly wrapped in plastic.
Phone & Charger – A fragile lifeline to loved ones
Basic Clothing – A warm jacket, comfortable shoes, extra socks; Clothes that carry your scent of home.
Food & Water – Enough to last, even if the journey stretches longer than planned.
Medications & First Aid Kit – Health is fragile when home is far away.
For Comfort & Dignity:
Blanket or Small Pillow – Something soft in a hard world
Soap & Hygiene Items – Toothbrush, wipes, sanitary pads reminders that you are human
Small Notebook & Pen – To write memories, dreams, or just a name, in case someone needs to remember you
For the Heart & Soul:
A Family Photo – Faces of those who couldn’t come or the ones you must keep safe
A Small Token of Home – A bracelet, a piece of fabric, a tiny stone: proof that home once existed
A Book or Song Lyrics – Words that carry you when your feet are too tired.
Hope – Invisible but necessary
Kanuyan Lee 8
Always Moving
Running from war and Famine, Eyes looking forward in hope
Finding safety in different lands,
Uttering prayer for safety,
Gathering all their belongings by hand,
Enduring their hardships while gazing, towards the Future
Eric Lee 11
Open Your Eyes
The world can be looked at another way
Do not be so stupid to think that!
A place should only belong to those born there, These people are just like us
It is not okay to say,
Build a wall to keep them out, Instead let us, share our countries, share our homes, share our good
They cannot,
Go back to where they came from
We should make them, Welcome here
They are not,
Cut-throats and thieves, with bombs up their sleeves, nor layabouts and lounges, chancers and scroungers.
We need to see them for who they really are Should life have dealt a different hand?
These haggard faces could belong to you, So do not tell them, They don’t deserve our help.
Mason Lee 7
Sanctuary Amidst Strife
In Sri Lanka, there was a war between a Tamil group (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE) and the Sinhalese soldiers The LTTE were fighting for their rights because the government, who were Sinhalese, were controlling the Tamil people and refused to share their power with them In the war, Sinhalese soldiers killed many of the Tamil public and they were frightened and wanted to get to safety This meant that they had to evacuate from their homes and even leave their country to save their lives My dad was also one of these people who made the decision to leave the country and came to the UK in 1998 He did to save his life from the ferocious fighting and he was left with no choice but to leave his family as well
The Sri Lankan Civil War started in 1983 after an incident where an angry mob of Sinhalese people burnt 13 Tamil people alive which caused the outbreak of the civil war The Tamil community was very angry and the leader of the LTTE (Velupillai Prabhakaran) created this group to fight against the Sinhalese soldiers He made everyone, from men, women and children, become soldiers and taught them how to use weapons There were many major battles where the LTTE were able to become victorious
For example, there was the Battle of Pooneryn where the LTTE were able to get a victory where they were able to take over the military base there The Operation was called Frog Leap which took place from November 11 to 14, 1993 They were able to create a lot of casualties on the enemy side even though they had a significant amount of casualties as well
However, even though they were able to succeed in many battles, they were getting low on supplies and the tables eventually turned Everything started to happen against them as the Sinhalese army started to gain back land and push the LTTE back Eventually, the Sinhalese were able to get back everything and destroy the LTTE The Tamil people were upset as many of their loved ones would have died in the war
Even today, there are still people who talk about the war and whose fault it is Aveesh Lee 9
EscapefromtheWar
Indarknesscastbythunder'sroar, Wherepeaceoncedanced,nowwarisheard Aheartthatwaswholenowshatteredintwo, Longsforacheerinadistantheart
Acrossthefieldsofsadness,dreamssoarsohigh, Insearchofhope,aguidinglight Witheverystep,thestorytwists, Ofstrengthfound,andspiritsgained
Thewindsofchange,theyblowsoftly, Underthesky,asthefamiliescometogether Inquietprayers,theyfindtheirway Thesunshinesonthebeaches,wherekidsplay.
Thoughremindersremain,andmemoriesache, Inunity'sarms,newbondswemake Forintheshelter,lovewillgrow, Transformingnighttospace
TheMoonsilkenanddownwardsitgoes, Inrefuge,weescapethenight, Ourfearsshouldflee, Awhisperingbreathofpeaceshallrise TejeshLee9
The story of a family
A man and his family are in fear
For an enemy is approaching near Gunfire and bombs go off around In between them there isn't a sound
His son asks, ‘How long will it go?’ He replies, ‘It's impossible to know’ Multiple sleepless nights are spent like this And bombs can be heard with their hiss
After a while, the man gets tired, More friends are gone, more guns fired. The man says, ‘Enough! We are going!’ ‘Whether it be by plane, car or rowing.’
The man contacts a western nation, Hopefully to acquire refugee status. They later decided to respond, And for a week they started to correspond
After almost two weeks, a ticket arrived, After weeks of pain, the ticket of a lifetime
The man and his family grab their things, His son says, ‘Look it has wings!’
At the airport, there is a lot of elation, They are so glad for this invitation They give passports to a man at the gate, As their new future does await
They hop on their plane, And realise everything they built at home is down the drain Yet this does not matter, As no longer the kids will be at risk of a dagger
The plane touches down, joy behold! This story is for generations to be told But it isn't all joy and glee, For the journey was hard to make them free Jacob Lee 8
Beyond the Sea
Far off to the west
Beyond the boundless sea, Lies a land of fruit trees and grassy meadows
A warm and fertile land
A land untouched by the flames of war and the scars they leave behind
A land beyond the quarrels of man
A place not shackled by slavery or suffering
A place where we can embrace our sons and daughters again
A place where children can cling on to their mothers for even moment longer
A place where death is not the only comfort of escape from our pain
A nation of peace and prosperity
Just waiting for us beyond the sea
Mustufa Lee 11
To you who seeks:
To the person who traverses the boundaries of hope and loss, whose footsteps have crossed between worlds,
It is your hope if you are reading this
The chorus from the outside world may still be broken Its burdens can still be pressing down on your tired shoulders You may have doubts, you may be being teased with fleeting glimpses of your dreams. None of that matters here, though.
Here, our walls do not ask questions or beckon your purpose The bonfire needs no explanation from you The floorboards will not creak in judgment beneath your cautious steps This place has waited: waited for you not as a destination but as a pause a breath between struggles
You are not too late
You are not undeserving. You are not alone
Unburden those weary arms Sleep fearlessly Let the comfort of silence envelop you not as a void but as a blanket, suffusing you with the promise that when you depart from this momentary haven, you shall do so like a phoenix, reborn from its tempered ashes
But for now - stay Rest
Then rise from the ashes and step into the breach once more unfurled anew
Refugees
A refugee is a lost child, looking for a home A refugee is a small boat in a storm, trying to stay afloat A refugee is a person, not a “thing” or a nuisance Refugees are often looked upon with disdain by the general public, shunned by their comrades Many believe that refugees are all liars, hoping to deceive people to get what they want Many believe that refugees are not actually in danger, and are overreacting to their situation Unfortunately, some believe that refugees are not human at all, and are just mindless monsters aiming to ruin our country This is wrong
Yours in shelter, A friend Ishan Lee 12
The Refugee’s Journey
I packed in a hurry, grabbed my socks and toothbrush
I left my home Oh, what a sight Turns out war isn’t polite
Crossed the border, tired and sore,
Met a guard who asked, “What for?”
“Just seeking peace,” I told the man, He shrugged and stamped “Well, if you can.”
The boat was small, the waves were big, I prayed to God, “Don’t let me jig!”
A seagull laughed and stole my bread, “Even here?” I shook my head.
At last, new land! My future bright!
Except they housed me out of sight.
A tent, some soup, a form or two,
“You’re safe,” they said, “Just wait in line ” Days turned weeks, then months flew by, I learned new words like “Why?” and “Sigh ”
Yet through it all, I held on tight, Hope’s a stubborn, glowing light
So here I stand, a refugee,
A human soul, like you, like me
Take a step back, back, into the life of a refugee Imagine staring at the rubble of your destroyed home Imagine desperately sprinting away from a war zone Imagine what it is like when you lose everything Some people don’t have to imagine Refugees have lost their homes Some refugees would not have even had the chance to hopelessly gaze at and mourn for the homes they once had
Stepping back into our lives, think about the benefits of such a diverse group of people seeking refuge in our country Contrary to popular belief, most refugees are qualified and intelligent, a boon to our nation Our country lacks doctors Our country lacks teachers Our country lacks even the most basic of public transport drivers It could be said that our country must take refuge from these problems, under the economic safety such a large and varied number of qualified people would provide
Disregarding our own benefit from refugees, think about the moral implications of refusing refugees the right of safety What if war struck the UK and we were all made refugees? How can our country deny people the right to a home, people like us In fact, every family in this country has sought refuge at some point, whether it be in the last decade, or 54000 years ago as the first humans to venture to Europe from Africa Ignoring that, many people find refuge in daily life - a child in the loving embrace of their parents, someone returning home after a demoralising day at work
Refuge isn’t something that should be given or taken away, refuge is a feeling of safety and belonging that every human being, or even every creature, should be bestowed with at birth Refuge is not a privilege; refuge is a need Whether it be from a bad day at school to a violent war zone Now as this is read by someone with a roof over their head and a warm place to sleep, like everyone at Aylesbury Grammar School, they should think; what is the silver lining to your life? What is your refuge? And know that everyone in this world should have something to think about, including all the refugees. Maybe Britain can be that thing.
Kesara Lee 8
Are there any more brave?
In a state where the only rain is of bullets, Dreams are faintly whispered, overpowered by despair. Families destroyed by borders and fear. But hope is still alive, a faint flicker in the dark
With each step of bravery, they carry their stories of resilience and perseverance. With courage, refuge will always be found.
Alvin Lee 7
No home? Perhaps But hearts still care If only more would learn to share Kanuyan Lee 8
Fight for Freedom
In the midst of the Turkish war for independence, countless battles were being fought on the Western Front In the battleground of Smyrna, where my two siblings and I lived with our mother and father, my father was recently drafted into the war, fighting on the Southern front in the Cilicia Campaign. Bullets soared overhead as we heard the agonizing screams of men who were struck by bullets that flew into them like birds, while our leader fought for us.
27/05/1919
Birds soared in the sky with squalls of distress Bullets pierced the air, and the distant clamoring of men could be heard from a mile away My oldest brother, Altay, set off on a brief expedition to the water spigot that supplied our water for the day. Today was the day we sought refuge and shelter from the Greeks. We waited until night had fallen to start our fatiguing voyage. At last, night finally arrived. We waited for an Italian transport truck that would take us to the Northwest border on our way to Italy Altay went undercover as a trader, and we began our perilous journey Our city hung by a thread as the Greeks tightened their grip on us, and we feared what our nation would become We had no other choice but to flee We started by heading to the Italian sectors of the village This decision weighed heavily upon us, as the aspect of betrayal crossed our minds. A couple of hours in, we heard our essential possessions rattling in a rickety cart as we navigated through treacherous routes and maneuvered past mountainous terrain We arrived at the Northwest border, our bodies trembling and our nerves tested as we presented forged documents to the officer Tension was palpable as every questioning glance struck my heart Sweat raced down my forehead as I hurried to find ways to calm myself without raising suspicion It was a fraught journey, and we hoped that this alibi would hold After a few minutes, the anxiety was clear; everyone wore that look in their eyes that asked, “Will we make it out of here?” But shortly after, we yearned for the sight of the gate opening, freeing us to go Food was scarce and reduced to tiny rations, but the freezing night tested our determination We persevered and reminded ourselves of the opportunities ahead and the horrific events occurring behind us Eventually, we saw Italy in the distance, and our imagination ran wild with what we could achieve there A sense of ecstasy filled us as we finally reached the city of Otranto A beacon of hope illuminated our way as we stayed in a local refugee camp We were grateful for having food and a bed to sleep on, and a new beginning had awakened in Otranto, Italy.
Aryan Lee 7
No Place Like Home?
They flee from lands of war and strife, Seeking a chance, a second life
“Let them in” some voices call, A refugee is right for all
They’ve been through pain, they’ve paid their due They need our help, our kindness too
Yet others sneer, “But at what cost? Our jobs, our homes, will they be lost?”
“They are strangers here, they don’t belong, They’ll weaken our nation, we’ll no longer be strong
Through city streets and village squares, Their clash of views hangs in the air
Compassion battles fear and doubt
Debates ensue both fierce and stout
While those in suits discuss and fight, A child sleeps cold beneath the night
Forgetting sides, forgetting blame, They long for kindness all the same
Zachariah Lee 9
17th
I take a few steps outward into what seems like an endless expanse of muddied dust and old buildings that people have long forgotten One dry foot in front of the other feels like an eternity for me, but the fading memories that linger within me whisper only sweet desperation: “Keep going, keep going,” my tired beating heart begs for rest Yet, I have no purpose here, no soul, no God I breathe, but I do not live I see, but I cannot think I’m alive, but I watch death no matter where I stand
I remember just a month ago when those beacons of flame fell upon my quiet hometown like rain droplets to insects Like lambs to the slaughter, my family and friends, my sight and sound wash away in an instant Streaks of light and blood rain down from the sky; the wail of a thousand screams deafens my ringing ears while bodies upon bodies like the endless blades of grass pile up after one another; helpers like little ladybirds desperately trying to save what little they can despite knowing all hope is lost Oh, that beautiful day I now bloom in silence
Limping down a street once filled with laughter and excitement, I now find it ruined with dying men and empty bullet holes. As I trek through helpless disdain, I feel my legs sucking me dry with nothing of use to quench my thirst How peculiar I think to myself, how God puts me in such situations knowing all hope is lost? I find it almost humorous, like those movies that always show such a bittersweet ending to a hard-fought story; how nice it is to know that humanity is so, so clueless about what nature can truly be like How amusing it is to know Mother Nature has no good endings
The burning Sun beats down on the unending concrete that surrounds my drying body like a burning vulture waiting to feast on my insides, the color I see within me is fading; the beautiful wings that my parents were so proud of creating are now reduced to but a memory that holds on to me like roots to the ground; the people I met and the faces I used to remember as they’d walk past are now but a distant glimmer of the past that not even my soul used to recall Now I lay still; not even the birds or the bees come to say hello anymore As I wander my lonely rock, nothing but dying leaves and buried trees keep me company here.
I miss my sister, Lily She died when the bombs struck my hometown For but a fleeting moment my own life flashed in instance Only reminiscences of her now remain in my head, she was like an angel to me. Like a little sprout, she lit up my life before the explosions We’d play games, teach each other new things, and do things normal people would do She was my only family, now ripped away from me forever just like the millions of others suffering the same hell as me. I hope they find peace in such a broken place of empty wishes; missing dreams
While the night shines its glimmering tears, I long for a way out of this cold, dark world that I’ve been trapped in. I dream of even just a pair of hands to take me away, to take refuge and hold me as their own To nourish me, care for me, and bring me back to the life I had before I was taken away Before those life-changing torpedoes fell from the sky and drowned out all I could have ever been.
But such dreams only happen in fairy tales, don’t they? As my final moments flutter by, I rest my eyes and accept my ending while shadows loom over what little left I have of my dying stalk, seconds before the footsteps crush my last few petals
Chandler Lee 12
March 3, 1942
I sit here today in this little tent that has become my home and consider what refuge would mean for me I had to leave everything I owned a few months ago my house, my family, my memories due to the violence and fear that became part of my life. Getting here was a long and fearful journey with doubts at every step. I remember the nights that I hid, the sounds of chaos echoing in my ears, and the desperate hope that I would be okay.
Here, in this temporary camp, I am surrounded by such people as I, individuals who have also left their homes behind, and each with a story of survival and loss We exchange our experiences, our fears, and our aspirations for a better tomorrow Here, in this community, I discover a sense of home I believed had been lost to me forever We prepare meals together, we share what little we have, and care for each other in ways that remind me of the resilience of the human spirit
Yet each day reminds us of everything we ' ve lost I miss my children's laughter as they play in the garden, my mother's embrace, and my neighborhood's familiarity I have no idea what tomorrow holds, and it scares me, but I hold on to hope I hope for the day I get to return home or be given a new one where I can start afresh In the meantime, this camp is my sanctuary, where I do not feel lonely, and where we can all hope for a brighter tomorrow
Omar Lee 8
Life
Entry 14 October 27th:
The rain is relentless It claws at the dishevelled iron roof, a constant, annoying drumming that echoes the frantic beat of my heart We found this place three days ago - an abandoned hunting cabin tucked deep in the woods Refuge, at least that's what Jacob calls it
Jacob is always optimistic, even when the shadows lengthen and the whispers get louder. He says they're just the wind, playing tricks in the trees. But I know better. I feel them, a cold dread that settles in my bones. They're getting closer.
Entry 15 October 28th
Rations are dwindling Jacob went out this morning to try and find something, anything He promised he wouldn't go far Hours have passed The shadows are deeper now, pressing against the cabin walls Every creek of the wood, every rustle of leaves outside the single, boarded-up window sends shivers down my spine
I keep seeing flashes Fragments of images, too quick to grasp fully A figure in the trees, eyes glowing in the darkness A hand reaching out
Entry 16 October 29th
He's back . Jacob is back, but… he's different . his eyes are too bright , his smile is too wide, he brought us food , a deer he said he caught a mile from our cabin. But the meat… it smells wrong.
He keeps staring at me He says we are safe here, that they won't find us But when I asked him who “they” were, he just chuckled, an unsettling , low sound I don't trust him anymore This cabin is not a refuge It's a trap I think i’m, trapped with something far worse than the things outside I fear that this is my last entry
Kian Lee 7
The Disappearance
Everything was normal until the Germans invaded Now there was curfew, strict rules and one toe out of line you would be as good as dead If you were out past curfew you would be shot Nobody wants to be here, but none dare leave We could hear gun fire in the distance and dogfights in the sky It was pure chaos around the world with no safe space to hide We headed south at 8:32 p m hoping no German officer would see us The streets; abandoned with nothing moving That was until tanks came down the street with sudden bullets streaking past us, we heard cries of the fallen Then a sharp pain spiked in my left foot, knowing it was a bullet I was stunned but I knew I must keep running No matter what Somehow I escaped making it up the mountain bleeding out on the way Only 3 of us survived out of the 18 people that tried to escape Fortunately we found a ramshackle hut near the peak of the mountain It would be safe for a while until the Germans ventured out Now a place to stay is the least of our worries What about food and water, would we be able to find that? Somehow. Before we could talk about that, a bullet came flying over my head piercing one of the others' skulls. I didn't know any of them because my family got shot by the Germans. So with no hesitation we ran, ran for miles until we couldn't run any more. That's when I realised I was alone standing by a waterfall not knowing what would happen next. A few weeks later everything was running smoothly, I found some water and I found a German camp which I stole food from regularly I think they think it is a mouse that is taking their food but they are terribly mistaken The only thing that was keeping me from exploring further was the bullet which landed right in the middle of my left foot The only thing that entertained me was soldiers doing drills and the occasional shouts of the officer But today was different, everyone was quiet and even the officers were not shouting, they were saluting strangely Then a man with a moustache and slick back hair approached the officer, they exchanged some words and entered the officer’s office Wanting to hear what this important man was saying I came round the outside and listened in I couldn't really hear what they were saying I just heard the boots of a German soldier walking Knowing it would be too risky I went back to my hut But when I turned around I saw big, black boots with a symbol written on the side of them
Maxim Lee 7
Dreams from within the camp
Shattered fragments of memories of a life abandoned roam the hallways of my mind like insomniacs hunting for a good night’s sleep They flicker on my canvas of consciousness as if painted by a fickle artist trying to produce a breathtaking painting That’s not to say the feeling isn’t nice Being able to relive key moments from my past is a refuge from cruel reality, like being able to dip your toes in a toasty bath on a harsh winter evening. I can’t distinguish which memories are which, hurrying through time like the white rabbit - always late. I have visions of a beautiful baby boy and a gorgeous lover while intense feelings of deep affection run channels through my heart All these stories are linked by a similar theme: joy. Joy is the stitch holding together a torn section of fabric. It’s the single greatest dream I’ve ever had, but unfortunately, it won’t last, and I know it Slowly, my visions begin to fade as if drawn by an unseen force back into the gloomy labyrinth of my mind
Noah woke up at a start, being kicked viciously in the side by a freezing boot, coated in mud Aggressive commands were barked at him in German, and he was hoisted up by a pale, fraught looking woman, who it seemed was just trying to avoid any trouble she might find herself knee-deep in Noah was still feeling drowsy, and so, briskly rubbing sleep from his eyes, he almost forgot where he was for a second Oh, what a second of bliss, he had thought sardonically to himself, remembering where he was. He looked down at his cheap and baggy pinstriped clothing, and allowed himself a brief chuckle These people in power, however cruel they were, had a sense of humour, if it could be called that “I mean,” Noah had thought to himself, “I might as well be bloody naked at this point ” The guard, a large man with a bristly moustache (which almost looked like it was about to spring to life and start wiggling hurriedly away across its owner’s face) and a thick vein sticking out like a sore thumb in his temple, began to shout again Noah resigned himself to obedience, fearful of what consequences could possibly befall him should he step out of line Even Hitler himself dares not come to such a woeful place as this, Noah thought Oh well He got to the day’s usual mundane tasks Him and the other prisoners managed to stomach down a bowl of the colourless, lumpy slop they thought was an adequate breakfast in this place, desperately wondering if anything would be able to restore their hollowed-out cheeks and sunken eyes to the life-filled, rosy faces they were echoing Noah was a lucky one He hadn’t been here long, the Gestapo only finding him and his family several months ago They’d been separated for an eternity now, or at least that was how it felt to Noah, and he still couldn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel However, Noah knew, with a sense of smug satisfaction, that they couldn’t keep him in this place forever There would come the fantastic new day in which the Allied forces would run down the brutal metal fences, and everyone in this damned place could finally be free Noah knew it wouldn’t be long now until that day It couldn’t He’d seen the way that the commanding officers in this place gazed at each other, like game being hunted by the bloodthirsty hounds they knew they were in absence of the strength to outrun. He almost felt bad for them, Noah did. Almost. The day came and went. Noah performed dull and unimportant activities, that he knew would impact no-one and nothing, but were only put into place to keep the people like him busy The ones that would do more dangerous things with their precious time, given the opportunity. In that day’s evening, Noah lay on the granite slab that they’d called a “bed” Fat lot that was doing to help him sleep, said Noah He might as well have slept on the floor, for all the good his manky, hole-pocked, flea-ridden hovel of a bed was doing for him As Noah lay in bed, he began to pray He prayed to his Lord, praying that soon this mess would be over Praying that soon all of these ruddy countries would just sort out their issues so that the innocent civilians like him could just go home Praying that the Germans would just sort out their prejudices and stop discriminating against his kind They’d forced him to wear a star, restricted his freedoms, and then separated him from his family and forced him to waste away his days in this draughty, dead cell; with its iron bars and concrete floors Noah missed his family The separation from them was eating away at his mental, like a little worm crawling around inside his dome, telling him he’d never see them ever again. Noah knew he couldn’t pay the worm even the slightest bit of attention, lest it drive him to madness He closed his eyes
I wake up once again, yet somehow know I’m not awake I’ve made my return to this lucid world, this universe created from sheer ideas inside my head Yet what awaits me here now shan’t even be compared to the pleasantries that had awaited me before I scream in anguish as I’m made once again to watch my wife and child be torn away from me It feels like they’re ripping my soul in two, uncaring of the result I feel her fingers slip through mine, as if lubricated by a malignant evil I see his eyes, filled to the brim with tears, and yet they trickle - awfully slowly - down his cheeks at the very same time. I try desperately to rip my eyes away from the horrors I’m forced to watch, which I have watched before but are somehow just as painful now, but my eyes flit back, drawn to the scene before me like moths to a flickering flame I fear if I have to watch it for even another second, the scars engraved upon the cold slate my mind has become will last me a hundred lifetimes I have to wake up Have to make it stop Have to
Noah abruptly woke up, sitting upright in his “bed” He was drenched in a cold sweat, which had seeped through his clothes and chilled his bones, making him feel stiff as a mannequin His mental hands flicked through copies of memories he hadn’t desired to be copied, but which had been nevertheless and continued to torture him during hours of darkness, hours superficially for sleep, but for Noah, all that awaited him when he let his eyelids droop, and allowed the darkness to envelop him, was suffering Noah went back to sleep
Fortunately, I manage to sleep undisturbed for the rest of the night What causes this, I don’t know I don’t even know how I think presently Maybe I’m just desperately trying to grip onto my fading lucidity, an instinctive yet rational reaction from my body; which endeavours to stop me from reviving my tragic past within the capricious landscape of my mind
Dreams from within the camp continued...
Noah woke up fairly early in the morning, just as the sunlight began to seep through the bars on his window and the birds began to sing their decadent song Noah wished he could just morph into one of the birds, and flutter leisurely through the window - impenetrable for people - to soar into the perpetual blue sky and live happily ever after, just like they do in the fairy stories Noah briefly recalled a feeling of warmth, of safety long forgotten, a memory of him sitting on his mother’s knee, resting his frail head against her effortlessly comforting skin; smooth as the flat, spherical stones he longed to once again skim across a rushing river, no cares in the world “No point longing for the impossible” thought Noah, sinking in a dank pit of melancholy Today was shower day in the concentration camp, the day Noah was hurtled out of his drowsy morning state by the piercingly polar waters that the guards expected everyone in the camp to be grateful for So tired after the antics of the previous night, Noah was suddenly unable to think of a biting remark about his current predicament He sluggishly managed to drag himself into the line of languid prisoners, all of whom seemed fraught and almost vacant of vital signs Such were the conditions in camp In a slim line, Noah and the others trudged silently after the camp’s lead officer There was an air of silent resentment about the gathering Resentment for the camp, the guards, the brisk winter morning battering their pale skin, resentment for the eternal struggle for freedom from their oppressors They were so deprived of meaning, they relented from asking questions about why they were being led down a route unlike the usual one, about why the “new and improved” showers were just large chambers Noah assumed it was probably so they could all be washed at once, just a way they could use less water Cheaper for them, however but another hardship for us, thought Noah grimly Him and the others were packed into the chamber like sardines in a tin, about to be poured into an affordable plastic dish and fed to a spoilt cat Spoilt milk was all that cat deserved, Noah begrudgingly concluded A stout and weasely looking guard ominously closed the door behind them It fell into place with a loud clanging sound, signifying the group’s suspension from contact with the outside world.
A soft hissing noise filled the room.
Noah felt like his lungs imploding in his chest.
He couldn’t breathe, began clawing at the bedraggled figures around him in an attempt to seek help, but swiftly noticed they were doing the same.
Darkness made its presence known at the corner of Noah’s vision.
The room began to dim.
Noah never felt himself fall to the floor Never felt himself be hauled out of that unholy chamber - that chamber which had been used many times before, to dispose of what those in power considered a lesser race, not deserving the privilege of lifeand never felt himself being carelessly flung into a mass burial site Noah wouldn’t feel the shine of the sun on his face again, would never feel the adoring embrace of his family, the embrace of those long separated, but of those who would never give up hope of reunion
I find myself again Drifting with the others like me Towards a bright but still welcoming light ahead of me I don’t understand what’s happening, just contentedly know that I’ve made my way to a better place now
Never Forget
Never Again
Alec Lee 8
Why?
To me, refuge is something that infuriates me of how much it has to happen The lengths people have to go and the hardship of leaving your home forever should not be this common, and it is mainly because of the greed of some of the ultra powerful As voltaire said ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ and I believe that many people do not take that seriously at the expense of millions, if not billions of people, just for an issue that, most times is completely avoidable and many times is because they want more power, this can not only end millions of lives, but, ruin billions of lives and force people to leave everything they ever knew, and in many cases lose a loved one forever If everybody was nicer to everybody then these experiences nobody should experience could not be experienced.
Jaxon Lee 8
Refuge in Nature
Mouse’s Diary
Today was a difficult and distressing day. I’m lucky to be here writing in my diary at all Every time I try to leave my mousehole, that cat is there. I have to go out though, so I can find something to eat and drink The cheese calls to me! That cat – otherwise known as Buster Mitts – is a menace. He always flashes his claws near my hole
Today started like any normal day I woke up and did my pilates stretches Then the stomach grumbling started. I was hungry and it was time to go on a cheese hunt
I peeked out of my little sanctuary near the coffee table The coast looked clear, so I made a run for it There’s a spot behind the kitchen door where I can hide out of sight I made it there in a flash before Buster had a chance to notice me. Looking through the gap between the door and the frame I could see it. There on the kitchen floor was a piece of cheese, dropped by a messy child or a careless adult.
I had to wait until Buster jumped up onto the sofa and began cleaning himself in the sun, with his back to me. Out of his line of vision I ran into the kitchen, lapped at some spilled water, grabbed the cheese and ran back behind the door Where had Buster gone? He wasn’t on the sofa anymore. With no time to think I made a run for it Dashing across the floor with cheese hanging from my mouth I headed straight for my mousehole Suddenly I heard the sound claws scrabbling on the wooden floor Buster was right behind me! With millimetres to spare I made it through the hole, leaving just the sound of Buster pawing at the wall and his howl of frustration
I am safe for now. The world outside is scary and dangerous The mousehole is my refuge
A Snail’s Refuge
The rain comes down hard, A tiny snail waits; unscarred, But yet still he waits agony, Until he spots an open magazine, The snail feels the strength of the pitter patter on his shell increase, So into the open storm, the snail travels to find himself some peace, The snail slowly approaches the shiny paper, But the snail grows more tired with every slither, As he receives another splash of impact, The snail realises his shell is hardly being kept intact, To protect his shell he rushes, Until it is dry concrete he touches, Now satisfied and out of the wet the snail thinks to himself,
Even without a second option from which to choose, It seems I have still found my refuge! Gabriel Lee 9
Nature’s Weapon
The forest was still, the wind a gentle torrent careening through the trees All was silent in the forest, and nothing was happening apart from the occasional break of a branch. The silence was disarming
No animal was moving, and no plants were swaying in the warm breeze Suddenly, there was a crash, and a wall of crimson and saffron came charging through the trees, churning and chewing up everything in its path. It roared as it engulfed the forest in vermillion flames. All of a sudden, everything was moving again Predator and prey ran straight by each other and didn’t pause for a second All that was in the minds of the animals was to find safety Deers, darting between the dangerous flames, bears were barrelling through the burning branches, and the falcons flew through the flame. All the creatures of the forest had their minds set on one place: the island on the lake They were all searching for refuge
Kit Lee 10
The Mistreated Sanctury
Mother Earth our saviour, How unforgivable is our twisted behaviour, In the end it was you we slew, Despite how dependent we were on you, The consequences of our actions, if only we knew, For centuries we turned to you in seek of refuge, Yet still, repeatedly any accountability we blatantly refuse, Indeed the calamity will be huge, How pitiful, how woeful is this reality,
Hypocrisy shining bright as we exclaim we will fight valiantly, Till one day, no more will we see that rose, that tulip nor the great oak tree, The tears of the glaciers overwhelming the arctic sea, Mother Earth we hear you crying out in despair, It is up to us to show that indeed we do care, Put an end to the lie that we remain unaware, Our home, our shelter, our refuge, the sustainer, Mother Earth the maintainer.
Ayaan Lee 13
Wrong Refuge
It was nearing midnight, and yet the blizzard had not yet ceased The hunter’s boots weakly crunched against the delicate sea of snow within the woods. He had stumbled through the endless crystals of frost; this was his last energy. ‘Anything to live… Anything!’ he had thought to himself, nearly tripping over himself, as he was beginning to lose his focus. Just then, and with all the luck in the world, he had found a small, lone cabin amidst the wild whiteout. With nowhere else to go, and with intense desperation, the hunter decided to knock on the door, which had opened as soon as he touched it.
It revealed a small room, devoid of life There was nothing but a chair and a fireplace, somehow still lit Figuring he’d die either way, the hunter rushed inside, desperate to find shelter from this ongoing depression outside The hunter closed the door Maybe he could sleep on the floor in hopes of the snow clearing tomorrow He took a seat on the chair Everything was getting better
The sun had risen once more The hunter had gone to the door to leave, however, when he had pushed the door, nothing had happened. The snow had blocked the door; in fact, the snowstorm was ongoing. The next time the sun had risen, the snow seemed to pile up halfway to the windows instead of stopping. The sun had fallen, risen, and fallen again many times, uncounted by the hunter as the snow rose past the windows. It was endless. Endless and hopeless. The hunter could think well. The fire was starting to burn out. ‘This is not a shelter. This is hell,’ he thought, looking at the razor-sharp edge of the broken glass of the lightbulb and then his arm His stomach was roaring, and burning, so what's one? Just one
Codie Lee 9
The Plight of Prey
The hurried hare hopped and leaped over fallen branches and the roots of long dead trees It scampered through the croaking woodland forest, attempting to outpace its predator scouring in the skies
The proud and bold eagle pursued its game, hot on the hurried hare’s hind
The proud and bold eagle pursued its game, eager to ensnare its panicked prey
The hurried hare dodged and darted, passing the pouncing, petrifying, wounding fauna: noseburn, hogweed, nettles
It could not falter now
The plight of the hurried hare is an unfortunate sight; it searches for its home, it searches for a place to cower desperately
The soil slowly shifts to jagged stones
The trees turned hollow tremble as the eagle traces its prey
The hare sought safety, the eagle descends as if the swift wind
The exoneration of the prey from its greatest fears
The chance to be sheltered, shielded, secure
The plight of the hurried hare is an unfortunate sight, unable to break its burden
Nature’s Touch
In the quiet whisper of the trees, A haven waits for hearts at ease, Soft shadows dance on gentle ground, Where solace blooms, and hope is found
The river hums a calming tune, Beneath the watchful, silver moon, Here, burdens lift like morning mist, In every sigh, a sweetened tryst
Each withered dream finds Room to mend, In nature's arms, we rise, transcend Aiden Lee 9
Stuck in the Puddle
There it was! Lying right there on the floor! All I had to do was jump over the puddle and grab it, then it would be mine! I nervously peer over the never-ending void inside the puddle Surely I’m imagining it right? As I take back three steps, I breathe in fresh air and jump! Woah, I panic as I suddenly start falling through the puddle THUD! “Ow”, that hurts I get up and look around, where am I, what just happened? Slowly, I grab my backpack and get out my phone, and turn on the flashlight, to see in better detail, I’m in some sort of cave! I sigh, as I realise there’s no signal down wherever I am on Earth I look around further to understand where I am. I put my hands on the rocks and feel around for any loose parts Realisation seeps in, I think I’m trapped I instantly start to hyperventilate, the fact that I also have claustrophobia, also doesn’t help! I feel the walls slowly moving towards me, I feel it strangle me, like a snake strangling its prey. I close my eyes, and breathe in and breathe out, the wall steadily moving away I gulp a handful of air as if it was the most precious thing in the world. Suddenly, I hear rocks clattering, I feel goosebumps on my entire body now! I was not alone
The Storm of all Storms
tlas: We have to head for shelter because of the inclement weather
Morgan: Aye Aye Captain, which harbour shall we rest
Atlas: Set a course for the Almafi harbour
Morgan: The storm is an angry drummer, pounding the sky Atlas: Then let us not wait for its final crescendo
Morgan: Aye, Captain!
harbour lies just ahead of these rocks - keep your eyes sharp, All hands on deck!
ght g splits the sky, the ship lurches as a colossal wave crashes over the deck Atlas (gripping the wheel tightly): Hold fast! Brace for the next wave!
Morgan ( holding onto the side as he stumbles): I am afraid this isn’t the only chorus we will see Atlas (shouting over the wind): Secure the main sheet!
Morgan travelling the deck while holding onto the banisters entering the cockpit to secure the main sheet)
Morgan (pointing ahead): Captain! Land Ho! Amalfi’s within reach Atlas: Ready to Gybe, Gybe Ho!
Morgan: Rocks up ahead! We are going to run aground
Atlas: We have to time the wave so we can ride it otherwise we will have heard the last of the storm, and the drummer’s beat will fade into the depths forever (a monstrous wave rises ahead, ready to swallow the sheep)
Atlas (Yelling a cry above the storm): On my mark lean into it!
(the ship climbs the monstrous wave, swaying back and forth at its peak before diving downwards
Morgan: We live to hear the tune of the storm for another day Atlas: Let fly, we’ll let the sea carry us in Morgan: Aye Aye, Captain (the ship returns to shore as they have sheltered from the violent storm, they have now reached the Amalfi harbour)
Gautham Lee 11
Refuge - The Beginning of the End
It’s the year 2077. Apocalypse spread like wildfire throughout the city a year prior, when the news that the sea would be covered up completely, in order to use more land, produce more factories and resources. Chaos broke out among the masses of the world, and those who chose not to involve themselves were forced to evacuate A pandemonium of mayhem struck the world and people turned on each other, governments shattered under the pressure, and the world became a place of free reign - no laws because they couldn’t control the rioting population Stores were robbed and ransacked with no mercy, houses were torn apart, skyscrapers were toppled, cities became a barren wasteland, filled with debris of former homes and buildings. The billboards that illuminated Times Square were nowhere to be seen, only rocks upon rocks and the common sight of blood stains In London, Big Ben was toppled completely, the remains of only the clock face held up by thick metal rods, the walls of the Palace of Westminster sunk into the polluted body of water There were even relentless people who sought out those not involving themselves in the case of the government trying to cover up the water entirely, bringing no mercy and slaughtering them - why would they not help in the cause? Surely this bloodbath would result in something worth it, a happy ending? No, the merciless ones wanted an excuse to annihilate, to bring carnage, to exterminate the weaker ones in the world and to assume power they crave, natural human nature Millions have sought out refuge - shelters, communities, and eradicated The word hope, or happiness, or life no longer exists No one dares to speak the words, because what point is there when they know they’ll lose it all soon?
Ishaan Lee 10
The Sixth Extinction
The year is 2499 AI is taking over Humans are being wiped out All our Queens are dead We have been fighting to no prevail There is no hope for us If you find this, I am begging you to stop the war and end AI Please Just end it
That’s all we want I will soon be dead There is a code below, it is the location of the last city, I could never find it I now bid you farewell, in hopes that this chaos will end.
Yours Truly (if you’re not AI), Peacemaker Code:
Freddie Jarman Lee 9
Rabeeh Shifan Lee 7
Kub Pirasanna Lee 11
The Sixth Extinction
The year is 2499 AI is taking over Humans are being wiped out All our Queens are dead We have been fighting to no prevail There is no hope for us If you find this, I am begging you to stop the war and end AI Please Just end it
That’s all we want I will soon be dead There is a code below, it is the location of the last city, I could never find it I now bid you farewell, in hopes that this chaos will end.
Yours Truly (if you’re not AI), Peacemaker
THE HOUSE IN THE CORNER THE SUMMER PALACE RIGHT NEXT TO THE SKY KINGDOM THE OCEAN PHYRRHIA
Rabeeh Shifan Lee 7
Freddie Jarman Lee 9
Kub Pirasanna Lee 11
Most of us reading this are lucky, we have refuge. We have somewhere safe to be and prosper. Though that's not the case for all and we hope through reading our magazine, you can understand the hidden emotions of every person seeking refuge from war, emotional abuse, etc. This magazine will delve into the complex emotions surrounding the theme of refuge and by reading it we hope we can evoke some of these emotions fostering a more empathetic and understanding society.
“All you need to know is that when you go through that kind of experience, there are often two extremes: either you lose hope completely and you shatter and break into pieces or you become so resilient that no one can break you. ”
― Malala Yousafzai, a quote from her book - We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World Arya Lee 12
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