Juan Wanders

Somedays Mama can't stop crying.
Sister Rosa and me pick up cans
And sell them to buy some food.
Mama needs a medicine man.

I used to have a good dog,
He had to go leave our house-
One time he growled at a man
From the great mission of doubt.

When the night covers the day
I slip away to my cactus fort.
While I lay there looking upwards,
Problems wait for me to sort.

Laughter on the other side,
Of my river, cool and wide,
Dares me to no longer hide,
But cross it-like a rapid tide.