Plan for Syrian Refugees

If I wielded the pen
Of the American president
Here is what I would do
With the throng of refugees
From Syria

Take them all to the American desert
Have the builders and architects
Re-create the beauty of Aleppo
Before the bombs fell

Have the bakers, cheesemakers and chefs
Fill their air with the smells
Of the fatteh feast of Damascus
And fill the bellies of all there

Have the teachers teach
Have the children learn and play
Have the mothers and fathers love
Have them all heal and live again

Most importantly
I'd have the artists and writers
Write their story
Have the dancers, singers, and actors
Perform it on the stage

Have the Syrian musical
Play in every city in America
Have every American
See the beauty that is lost
And weep with joy
That they saved
The tired, poor huddled masses
Yearning to be free

If I wielded the pen
Of the American president
This is what I would do
With the throng of refugees
From Syria