Today we are featuring Inklings Book Contest 2016 finalist, Claire Wong! Claire finished 4th grade this past school year. She wrote a poem about immigrants coming to America through the famous Ellis Island. We appreciated the way Claire used sensory details to bring depth to her descriptions. Enjoy!
Ten Thousand Miles
by Claire Wong
Ten thousand miles, a very long time.
On boat, at sea, past an old coal mine.
The journey was harsh, traveling through big waves.
For only the people that are strong-hearted can brave,
These ten thousand miles.
The ship and the trip, was terrifying and loud,
People were so hungry their stomachs made sounds.
My brother got sick onboard, for the food was bad,
He longed for fresh bread, but only a moldy potato was what we had.
While swimming through an ocean, an old whale spouts.
That reminds me that back at our town, we had a drought.
When we arrived at Ellis Island,
Inspectors checked us before we entered the highlands.
They poked and prodded, and they all nodded.
In a rush we were sent to the city.
My mother pitied the people who could not go,
To this place, America, which is now our home.
