Barbas de Oro
Andrea Theisen
Margaret Reid Poetry Contest for Traditional Verse 2012 (view all the winners)
Most Highly Commended
(The Zephyr/Holy Spirit)
"On hottest days,"
My father said,
"You have a friend,
Named Barbas de Oro.
If you call his name
With respect and faith,
He will come, and bless you with His grace."
The migrant fields exude their heat
Mocking my poverty
Challenging the myth
At the age of 12, I've a long way to go
Hazy weariness greets me at the end of each row
Hot, salty tears permeate my soul
Then immediately exit my body's pores
A vicious sun will castigate
This weed that will bend, but shall not break
Not sun, nor mankind, shall beat me down
"Barbas de Oro!" I call out, but without a sound
And then He comes...
Softly and gently, caressing my skin
Oscillating my soul with gossamer wings
He hums in my ear, a tender, sweet tune
I turn towards Him, but I'm all alone
As I wearily trudge along on this migrant field
I vow not to surrender; I must never yield...
