Home by Warsan Shire
no one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.
you only run for the border when you see the whole city running as well.
no one would leave home unless home chased you, fire under feet, hot blood in your belly.
it's not something you ever thought about doing, and so when you did - you carried the anthem under your
breath, waiting until the airport toilet to tear up the passport and swallow, each mouthful of paper making it
clear that you would not be going back. you have to understand, no one puts their children in a boat unless the
water is safer than the land.
who would choose to spend days and nights in the stomach of a truck unless the miles travelled meant
something more than journey.
and if you survive and you are greeted on the other side with go home blacks, refugees dirty immigrants, asylum
seekers sucking our country dry of milk, dark, with their hands out smell strange, savage - look what they've done
to their own countries, what will they do to ours?
for now, forget about pride your survival is more important. I want to go home, but home is the mouth of a shark
home is the barrel of the gun and no one would leave home unless home chased you to the shore unless home
tells you to leave what you could not behind, even if it was human. no one leaves home until home is a damp
voice in your ear saying leave, run now, i don't know what i've become.
Inspired to create
your own Haggadah?
Make your own Haggadah and share with other Seder lovers around the world
Have an idea
for a clip?
People like you bring their creativity to Haggadot.com when they share their ideas in a clip
Support Us
with your donation
Help us build moments of meaning and connection through
home-based Jewish rituals.
OUR TOP CONTRIBUTORS
Passover Guide
Hosting your first Passover Seder? Not sure what food to serve? Curious to
know more about the holiday? Explore our Passover 101 Guide for answers
to all of your questions.