A Mother’s Journey By Vanessa Caraveo

Corre Miguel!

With her small baby in her arms the mother looks distressfully back,

Seeing her four year old son began to lag behind.

The hot summer night in the treacherous Rio Grande Valley terrain

Is unforgiving for those who look for a better future.

She left it all,

Absolutely everything behind

To give her young son Miguel and her baby a chance for a better future.

Going back is not a choice

She knows what awaits them if they return to the violence-stricken place they escaped.

They rest below a huisache shrub in the desert valley,

She pulls Miguel close to her and holds her newborn closer as well.

Miguel falls asleep shortly.

She tries hard to be strong

But tears stream down her cheeks

With the uncertainty if this treacherous journey will end well.

That is the worst feeling of all

Coming so far only to have a better life

But being uncertain if you will even make it to the end

Or what the outcome will be.

She had seen on television back home so much conflict about a wall

She knows this new plight is challenging

Not only arriving, but being received by many with so much discrimination

Towards those who only want a better future.

She tries to withhold her sobs so Miguel doesn’t hear

There is nothing a mother wouldn’t do for her children.

It’s instinct.

She feels Miguel moving

And gives him a kiss on his forehead.

Tomorrow is a brand new day

She tries not to lose faith this long journey will end well

“Ayudanos Virgencita,”

She quietly pleads

As she closes her eyes and falls asleep for tomorrow is a new day

Holding on to the hope for a better life.