Coming to America

For Carlos and Luis there was no work in Mexico,
So to America they decided they would go.

They had heard that opportunities abound,
If across the border a way could be found.

Their mother raised an exasperated voice
That her young sons faced such a choice.

The risks they would face were widely known,
But now the seeds of hope were already sown.

They argued that Uncle Miguel had taken the chance,
Now his family gets money for their lifestyle to advance.

So they departed after being bid farewell
Only to enter what became a living hell.

They survived the trip with the thought of how grand
They would find the opportunities in the new land.

They found Uncle Miguel working on a road
And he helped them find a job and a humble abode.

They were happy in the new land for the time they had spent,
But now they were hearing growing voices of dissent.

They heard that learning English was a burden too great to bear,
And their status as 'illegals' was believed by most to be unfair.

They heard some Mexicans call for resistance to assimilation,
That Mexicans should take back the land for their own nation.

They asked Uncle Miguel about the things they were hearing
And he told them that a new culture they should not be fearing.

He reminded them of the opportunities in this new place
And the situation in the homeland they could no longer face:

Where is the wisdom in resisting a new way of life
When the one you had was so full of strife?

The culture here fills you with hope and tends to inspire,
While the culture there deprives you of the things you desire.

Go learn the language and it will set you apart from the crowd
Of those who don't and find advancement won't be allowed.

Prepare yourselves to become an American now,
Because someday the government might show you how.

Better yet, take what you learn and all those like you pair,
And go back home to lead your country out of despair.

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