I am from a Chance-Zsuzsa

I Am From a Chance-Zsuzsa
By Sasha


I am from a clamor of voices,
So many different nationalities
Multi-ethnic Yugoslavia,
Its rolling green hills,pastures of livestock,
When the Serbs, the Hungarians
Resided together in peace
Not caring about their differences
I am from growing up
Causing the realization
That nationalities did make a difference
Hit me like a bullet

I am from interacting with new people, times and places,
Especially my husband
And my proud college graduation,
My children, and the horror
Of war

I'm from traveling to Croatia
Where in the picturesque
Yet deceiving landscape
A war broke out
And we were unable to return to our country
I am from friends
Who helped us in our
Eventual return to Hungary
And the beautiful
But somehow inconceivable
Thought of life returning
To how it used to be

I am from the shock of Quarantine
The odor of sweat and decay
Of too many bodies
In too small a space
The sound of the harsh voices
Piercing us like knives
The feel of cold icy bunks
Digging into our skin.

I am from our release into Hungary
The feeling of finally escaping
Dimmed by the abominable and unavoidable
Life in the Refugee Camp
Where my children did not speak
Of their nationality
If they could help it

I am from the hope
Induced by the offer of a job
Educating and bonding
Children of all different nationalities and ages
Giving them the strength they needed so desperately



I am from the pride
Of being able to repair
The wrongs of the people before me
As if slowly stitching together
The remnants of the hearts
That were crudely torn apart
By the cruelty of Quarantine

I am from the delight and honor
Of the ability to
Save a boy from a horrible fate
And sparing his education
As it slowly dissolved into nothingness

I am from being given a chance
And helping others from
Leaving their futures
Lying in the dust