Sebastine was born in Togo and spent 14 years living in Krisan refugee camp in Ghana. In May 2007, she was resettled to Australia by UNHCR through the Australian Humanitarian Resettlement Program. She now works for an organisation helping refugee and migrant families as a home tutor.
“Every line in this poem is a reality for me and I’m sure refugees around the world will feel the same. We are lucky to survive but still face challenges in settling to a new country. My wish is that my fellow refugees read this poem and understand that they are not alone”
Once I had a country of my own,
Lively, tropical, vibrant green.
Why did I leave? You ask me.
Well it was stay and die,
Or flee to return another day.
Once I had a country of my own.
Now I’m a citizen of someone else’s land.
Sometimes they say ‘go back to where you come from!’
But where could I go back to now?
And who to?
Once I had a country of my own.
Now feeling comforted and secure in Australia,
Why am I yearning so bad for my Africa?
I can never forget Togo, my homeland,
No matter where I go.
Once I had a country of my own.
Now, not knowing where I belong tastes bittersweet.
When I lay my head down here I feel safe.
But I dream…
My Mother country, my Togo, lively, tropical, vibrant green.
