My New Country
Jade Jackson
How are you? I was asked
Yes, yes! was my answer
I had arrived in my new country, Britain
Having run away from a dictator
Just to save my life.
I laugh about it now, looking back
How I struggled
To say hello to my neighbour
The way of life here is different
But I have adjusted to my new country
I have learned the language
‘Hello love, a cup of tea, please!’
I ask the waiter, with a smile.
When I first arrived
I feared going out
Afraid I would meet someone
Who would say hello or ask me something
I feared going to the corner shop
To the supermarkets
Going outside my small room was terrifying
In case I met someone who would greet me
When I went out, I did not want to meet anyone
So I would either turn back
Or walk into a side road
For fear of not being good enough.
When I learned the language
My confidence soared
I started greeting anybody who could hear
I started smiling at everyone I met.
Looking back they must have thought I was mad
But I was so proud, I had learned English
Now I am understood when I say ‘hello’
And I can talk to you, my brothers and sisters
Yes, yes! was my answer
I had arrived in my new country, Britain
Having run away from a dictator
Just to save my life.
I laugh about it now, looking back
How I struggled
To say hello to my neighbour
The way of life here is different
But I have adjusted to my new country
I have learned the language
‘Hello love, a cup of tea, please!’
I ask the waiter, with a smile.
When I first arrived
I feared going out
Afraid I would meet someone
Who would say hello or ask me something
I feared going to the corner shop
To the supermarkets
Going outside my small room was terrifying
In case I met someone who would greet me
When I went out, I did not want to meet anyone
So I would either turn back
Or walk into a side road
For fear of not being good enough.
When I learned the language
My confidence soared
I started greeting anybody who could hear
I started smiling at everyone I met.
Looking back they must have thought I was mad
But I was so proud, I had learned English
Now I am understood when I say ‘hello’
And I can talk to you, my brothers and sisters
Jade Jackson was born in East Africa, studied journalism and worked as a sports reporter. After members of her family were killed and her own life was threatened, Jade was forced to flee and arrived in the UK in 2001. Jade works as a volunteer at the Refugee Council. She published her first collection of poetry, Moving A Country, in 2013, and regularly recites her work in the UK.
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