Poems From Inside Me

My Home is Your Home

Come One, Come All

There is something about this land I live in

That makes us risk our lives for others

Perhaps because we are of such a mix

That all men truly are our brothers

We care not where you come from

We care not who you are

Just come and believe in freedom

And look up at the same stars

From the mud and blood of Vimy Ridge

To the sands in Khandahar

We’ll defend a child, a home, a bridge

Be they near or far

My Dad took a great risk in coming here

Fifty-four years ago

He left a Europe full of hunger, fear

For a place he didn’t know

He made Canada his beloved home

Though at first he missed the home he left behind

He risked it all, came here alone

Not knowing what he would find

Soon he learned this lovely land gives back

Ten times what you give

He had found a place to love and he would never lack

Anything he needed to live

There is so much beauty here in the mountains, trees

Though cold winds blow often in many parts

But there are things to be done in the winter freeze

Like sharing the love that warms the heart

At times like now when the spring sun is in the sky

And it seems all the world has been born anew

I will never have to ask myself why

I stayed in this place to live and to love you

Oh, Canada I’ve always felt so great

About how you take in all of the needy

You simply ask that they forget to hate

And tell them there is plenty for all, no need to be greedy

There are a million miles of freedom

Here in this sweet and blessed land

Rivers, mountains, oceans, you must see them

They are made by God’s own hand

I love this place so deep and pure

Because it never gave up on me

My wounds were deep but time and love was the cure

Bless these people and their land so brave, so strong, so free

Leif Gregersen

May 9, 2014