Rosita

Her mama crossed the river
to give birth on Texas soil
though border guards soon sent them back
the result was worth the toil

Rosita was a citizen
because she was born here
her folks tried in vain for green cards
as months stretched into years

When Rosita came of age
she did what her folks had ordered
with proof of birth clutched in her hand
Rosita crossed the border

She'd visit them every Sunday
from across the Rio Grande
but being near once they were gone
was more than she could stand

So she moved off from the desert
to a greener, cooler place
but everytime she feels the sun
she sees her mama's face

She's teaching Spanish to blue-eyed kids
and teaching English too
to those who got their green cards
as her folks could never do

c. 9/27/09, B. Riley