A poem about a young Syrian refugee: "I am Samir"

posted on: Jan 26, 2016

This poem is a reflection of how four Georgians; Dr. Omar Lattouf, William Burke, Dr. Emma Lattof, and Zeena Lattouf, were impacted by a young Syrian refugee, Samir.  Samir “adopted” them during their work with the vision screening clinic with the SAMS Jordan Mission in December 2015. They were moved by Samir’s presence and passion, especially in light of what they imagined was a life of misfortune. Despite his early experience as a refugee in Camp Za’atari, they witnessed the kind of hope and passion that propels individuals such as Samir into a life of success. They went to Camp Za’atari in hopes of healing those in need and came away filled with hope because of Samir and his spirit. In part, there was something healed in all of them deepening their belief in the greater good of mankind.I had a home, so full of life,

My days filled with peace, and void of strife

My parents, my friends were my whole world

I am Samir

And then there were bombs, we walked for miles

I remember tears, there were no smiles

My home, my world, came to halt

There was only fear

Everything we owned, on my mother’s back

All the things we had, now fit in a sack

My mom, my sister, we all held hands,

But where was Dad?

So many people, some that I knew

There were some men, but only a few

My days, my weeks were now a journey

That had no end

I saw the hope, in my mother’s eyes

Reduced to fear, and muffled cries

She held us close, at night with love

We stuck together

We came to a place, it’s called a camp

Our house is small and it’s always damp

My mother does her best, to make it home

But I miss my Dad

Day after day, each seems the same

Life could be boring, but I make it a game

To do your best seems hopeless to some

But I have dreams

I met some people that were nice to me

I wished they had stayed, but that could not be

They left me some candy and wonderful hugs

But they gave me more

I am starting to work to overcome this war

I am learning to see, beyond this camp, there is more

My world, my life that came to a halt

Is starting to move

I saw it in their eyes, they made me see

There is a world of hope, offered to me

I will conquer the fear, I will be free of these bonds

I am Samir, I am Samir

“I am Samir” was written for Arab America and is authored by Through My Eyes Production, Omar M. Lattouf, MD, PhD, William F. Burke Emma Lattouf, DMD, & Zeena Lattouf

Related Story: Good Bye My Little Friend…Good Bye Samir