The Statue in the Harbor

The interior of the pedestal of our lady liberty contains a bronze plaque inscribed with the poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus.

It has never been engraved on the exterior of the pedestal, despite such depictions in editorial cartoons.


Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall standA mighty woman with a torch,

whose flameIs the imprisoned lightning,

and her nameMother of Exiles.

From her beacon-handGlows world-wide welcome;

her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips.

"Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

~~Jah Bless