from the documentary, East of Salinas
Child
My country labels you
Undocumented
You are not alone
Dear one
There are two million
Undocumented children
Who like you
Live in shadow
Threats of deportation
Back to Mexico
Back to from wherever
Your parents brought you
Possibilities of separation
Of families
Torn asunder
Lives lived on the edge of
Disaster
Child
You are made in the
Image
The likeness of the
Divine
You are precious to me
As is every child
Everywhere
I want for you
To live with no fear
Playing outside your house
In fullness of the sun’s light
Not inside with window shades
Down
Curtains closed
To keep you from being seen
By Police Border Patrol
No questions asked
No dangerous answers
Given
While your parents work
Long hot hours
In the fields picking
Our vegetables
I ask myself this
Question
Are we
Land of the Free
Home of the Brave
Truly are we