If you must love

love completely –

so the migrant

feels no nostalgia –

except the nostalgia

of the new home;

if you must hate

take your time –

for the migrant

also contributes

to the success

of the new home;

if you must tell –

tell how much

the migrant gives

without your asking

for he takes less

from the new home

as he strives to feel

home in the new home;

if you must ask

ask not the migrant

to go back home

for He was also one

and never returned

but in the Second Coming;

if you must tell

tell it as it is

we are all migrants

migrating into and out of

walls that always wall us

from the womb to the grave;

if you must represent

represent them well

that live in your home –

for they are also human

in the humanity of us all –

the homes we do not choose

as in the homes we choose;

if you must give –

give love, give hope

enlighten those

empower those

that seek what you have

so you can be great.