deepundergroundpoetry.com
Conversation with F
One of the short stories I wrote during the time I worked with refugees
When I sit alone at the table for a moment, F walks towards me and asks me if I have some time. I tell him that I certainly have time and ask him if he would like to sit next to me. He sits down and gives me two cookies to go with my tea. I ask him how he is doing and he says everything is fine. I look at his foot, which moves restlessly and his hands who are shaking and ask him “are you sure?” Then he starts talking. About his life in his country, about his flight, about the threat letters he receives, about how scared he is that he will be sent back, but most of all he talks about his life in The Netherlands as an illegal. That people refuse to talk with him, that they avoid him, don’t see him. “Without papers you actually don’t exist” He remains silent for a while and stares at the glass of tea in his hands. Then he finishes his tea, stands up and shakes my hand. “Thank you” he says. “For what?” I ask him a little surprised. “Thank you for treating me like a human being, now I feel a bit human again” With a smile on his face he walks out the door, back to living on the streets.
When I sit alone at the table for a moment, F walks towards me and asks me if I have some time. I tell him that I certainly have time and ask him if he would like to sit next to me. He sits down and gives me two cookies to go with my tea. I ask him how he is doing and he says everything is fine. I look at his foot, which moves restlessly and his hands who are shaking and ask him “are you sure?” Then he starts talking. About his life in his country, about his flight, about the threat letters he receives, about how scared he is that he will be sent back, but most of all he talks about his life in The Netherlands as an illegal. That people refuse to talk with him, that they avoid him, don’t see him. “Without papers you actually don’t exist” He remains silent for a while and stares at the glass of tea in his hands. Then he finishes his tea, stands up and shakes my hand. “Thank you” he says. “For what?” I ask him a little surprised. “Thank you for treating me like a human being, now I feel a bit human again” With a smile on his face he walks out the door, back to living on the streets.
Published 21st Mar 2017
| Edited 22nd Mar 2017
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likes 14
reading list entries 1
comments 35
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Anonymous
- Edited 21st Mar 2017 3:39am
21st Mar 2017 3:28am
Oh dear, you drained my tears. Speechless, so speechless.
Thank you from my heart for sharing this
Thank you from my heart for sharing this
21st Mar 2017 4:16am
Thank you from my heart for your comment! I wasn't sure if I wanted to release these conversations and I hesitated for a long time, but I'm glad I did now :-)
21st Mar 2017 3:31am
there are so many who have a story the same,
& what can you do;
there is nothing to do but write about it...
& what can you do;
there is nothing to do but write about it...
21st Mar 2017 4:22am
Every single story is heartbreaking and it made me feel powerless... nothing you can do but listen, show them respect and yes... write! Also because many people say "why don't they go back their country" without realizing most of them can't go back (while many of them want to) The least I could do was give some of them a "face"
21st Mar 2017 4:22am
21st Mar 2017 4:25am
21st Mar 2017 8:34am
compassionate soul you are
compelling spillage from your inkwell
much much respect Duende..
compelling spillage from your inkwell
much much respect Duende..
21st Mar 2017 11:51am
Thank you so much for your comment, Naajir! I know you have a similar view on society... I really appreciate your visit and words :-)
Anonymous
- Edited 27th Dec 2019 12:45pm
21st Mar 2017 11:36am
<< post removed >>
21st Mar 2017 12:07pm
Dear Aemelia! The smiles you gave me by mentioning you worked with refugees as well... it is indeed very rewarding work! It puts a lot of things in a different perspective; they have to struggle with things that never even cross our worried minds and what seemed important gets less important when you are faced with people who are busy surviving... I'm grateful you think I sketched a good impression... Thank You so much!
21st Mar 2017 12:16pm
This just tore my heart out. You're an amazing human being and the world needs way more people who care rather than judge. Thank you for being one of those who actually care. ❤
I understand this was painful to read... I can't tell you how many times I cried inside and I fully agree with you that too many people are judgmental, having an opinion without knowing the full story! Fortunately there are many who DO care <3
Thank you so much for your comment!
Thank you so much for your comment!
21st Mar 2017 12:48pm
21st Mar 2017 2:39pm
21st Mar 2017 12:20pm
This is so sad, but it is life for many. We all just want to be treated with respect. We all want to be treated like humans.
Wonderful ^^
Wonderful ^^
21st Mar 2017 12:37pm
Exactly that! The organisation I worked for has a slogan: "no human is illegal" and I believe humanity starts with having respect for each other! Thank you so much for your comment and the reading list adds :-)
21st Mar 2017 12:29pm
Aaaaawww.... this was touching... n it showed me a Lil bit more of you... I applaud you, for your kindness, n humanity my dear one. :)
21st Mar 2017 12:41pm
Thank you so much for your comment, dear! There is one poem on the subject (not as outspoken as this one) and though I hesitated about releasing the conversations, I'm glad I did :-)
Anonymous
21st Mar 2017 1:23pm
What a beautiful gift you gave him, acknowledging his humanity and his existence, listening to him talk. I can't imagine what it must be like to "not exist" and then to have someone stop and take the time to just listen, to notice you. My heart aches for him and is relieved that for a moment he connected with someone who lightened his day. Beautiful
21st Mar 2017 1:50pm
I'm so glad you like this one! When he told me "without papers you actually don't exist" my heart dropped... it must be horrible to feel that way! Thank you so much for another amazing comment!
21st Mar 2017 7:23pm
This breaks my heart Duende. It riles me, though, that we seem to be headed to exclusionary policies in the States. It seems to me we need to help, not build walls or stop those in need at the airport or border. You've got a good heart Duende, and you're an exceptional writer. Fine work!
22nd Mar 2017 2:50am
Thank you so much for your comment, Crowfly, it is indeed hearbreaking! Writing prose (in a different language) is something completely different than writing poetry, so it's a huge compliment that you think I'm an execptional writer... coming from a journalist/novelist :-)
21st Mar 2017 9:41pm
my respects and admirations for the kindness Dear Duende! The worst part is these non-existent humans are being demonised for political gain by the so called human beings in politics. Good on you my friend for the compassion!!
22nd Mar 2017 3:16am
Unfortunately the word 'humanity' seems to be non-existent in politics and until that changes, the world will continue to go in the wrong direction! I keep hoping for a change though... thanks for another great comment!
22nd Mar 2017 2:17am
These stories need to be shared. It is so important for all of us to sit and listen .. the isolation is heartbreaking .. thank you for sharing and for your beautiful soul ... ox
22nd Mar 2017 3:22am
Thank you for your comment and for saying that these stories need to be shared! I wasn't sure if I should post them, but I'm glad I did and I'm truly grateful they got such great response! X
Kindness has no bounds... lovely read...
"about how scared he is that he will be send back"
I think you meant sent back... :)
Enjoyed...
be well...
"about how scared he is that he will be send back"
I think you meant sent back... :)
Enjoyed...
be well...
22nd Mar 2017 9:57am
Thank you so much for your comment and welcome to my page... I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks also for mentioning senT; I sometimes struggle with the verb conjugation and I ran it through the spelling/grammar correction, but it didn't pick it up... I'm glad you did :-)
22nd Mar 2017 1:14pm
You're quite welcome and I figured there was a language barrier there, so I wanted to help... :)
How kind of you ;-)
It was indeed the language barrier and as you probably have figured out by now, I'm quite the perfectionist, so I don't like making mistakes... I really appreciate it when someone mentions them...
It was indeed the language barrier and as you probably have figured out by now, I'm quite the perfectionist, so I don't like making mistakes... I really appreciate it when someone mentions them...
23rd Mar 2017 2:49am
this is sadly man's inhumanity to man - the human race bewilders me still - this is a beautifulls sad write that should make its readers rage and not hide :-(
23rd Mar 2017 8:50am
Thank you so much for your comment and thoughts! The human race bewilders me as well... it's hard to comprehend that 'we' are capable of so many atrocities...
19th Apr 2017 12:58pm
Thank you for these conversations
Respect is the key to bringing people together
Devastating poignancy
Please keep publishing these conversations
Like
Respect is the key to bringing people together
Devastating poignancy
Please keep publishing these conversations
Like
19th Apr 2017 1:31pm
You're welcome!
Thank you for the wonderful comments and both the reading list adds, I'm honored! Respect is indeed necessary to bring people together, but unfortunately it's getting rare nowadays...
Thank you for the wonderful comments and both the reading list adds, I'm honored! Respect is indeed necessary to bring people together, but unfortunately it's getting rare nowadays...
8th Mar 2024 1:14pm
You brought that renewed feeling of humanity back to him. So often being paperless makes refugees feel invisible.
