Near the Bank of the Rio Grande

Oscar Martínez and Angie Valeria,

A father and daughter from El Salvador,

Came to our border seeking asylum.

Their voices will not be heard anymore

 

Turned away at the border the father,

Mother, and daughter left in despair.

Desperation makes us take risks

Whenever our future is up in the air.

 

The Rio Grande near Matamoros

Proved not to be the family's friend.

Swept away in the rushing current,

Father and daughter both met their end.

 

Farewell to Oscar and Angie Valeria.

Let's hope that their deaths will not be in vain.

Urgency should call us to action:

Our treatment of others should be more humane.

 

Helpless, the frantic mother stood watching,

Feeling the pain that life can deliver.

The bodies of her two loved ones were found

In the murky waters near the bank of the river.

 

Who's passing blame or pointing a finger?

Who's going to turn a blind eye to sorrow?

How many more asylum seekers

Will lose their lives today or tomorrow?

 

Farewell to Oscar and Angie Valeria.

Let's hope that their deaths will not be in vain.

Urgency should call us to action:

Our treatment of others should be more humane.

 

-by Bob B (6-27-19)