3 Significant Xenophobia Poems

Poems about xenophobia confront the darkness of prejudice and fear of the unfamiliar “other.” They shed light on the destructive impact of intolerance and highlight the importance of empathy and understanding.

These verses reflect on the human cost of hatred and seek to break down barriers, promoting inclusivity and acceptance of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

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Refugee Blues

by W.H. Auden

‘Refugee Blues’ by Auden portrays the plight of Jews escaping Nazis, using imagery and blues rhythm to highlight themes of exile and despair.

This poem touches on the issue of xenophobia by portraying the society's hatred against refugees. In a social and bureaucratic way, Auden shows that refugees are neglected and feared as people who ‘steal’ resources; this shows that there are xenophobic values that enhance the suffering of refugees. This theme is fundamental in trying to comprehend the general social rejection and hostility that they face.

Say this city has ten million souls,

Some are living in mansions, some are living in holes:

Yet there's no place for us, my dear, yet there's no place for us.

Once we had a country and we thought it fair,

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Look We Have Coming to Dover!

by Daljit Nagra

‘Look We Have Coming to Dover’ offers a bleak but hopeful glimpse of England through the eyes of immigrants risking it all to become citizens.

Apart from the polluted diction and imagery that's used by the poet to paint a dismal contrast to the idealized perception of England, the disenchantment of the immigrants is also owed to the vehement reactions by xenophobic Britains. The "lording" tourists and the dehumanization of words like "lash," "hutch," "swarms" all serve to illustrate the prejudice and challenges faced by those attempting to assimilate.

Stowed in the sea to invade

the alfresco lash of a diesel-breeze

ratcheting speed into the tide, brunt with

gobfuls of surf phlegmed by cushy come-and-go

tourists prow'd on the cruisers, lording the ministered waves.

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Poet for Our Times

by Carol Ann Duffy

‘Poet for Our Times’ by Carol Ann Duffy is a sharp and satirical monologue that exposes the toxic power of tabloid journalism and the way language can be misused for attention.

The speaker uses words that mock people from other countries as if they are just characters in a joke. He says things like “whingeing frog” and “Eyetie waiter” without hesitation. Duffy uses these examples to show how prejudice hides in everyday language. When we stop questioning those words, they become normal, and that can shape how we see people who are different. The poem asks us to think about how headlines influence the way we treat each other.

I write the headlines for a Daily Paper.

It’s just a knack one's born with all-right-Squire.

You do not have to be an educator,

just bang the words down like they're screaming Fire!

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3 Significant Xenophobia Poems

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3 Significant Xenophobia Poems

Refugee Blues

by W.H. Auden

Look We Have Coming to Dover!

by Daljit Nagra

Poet for Our Times

by Carol Ann Duffy

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