This song was conceived a few years ago when I read about the horror of the people who were trying to cross the US border in a truck and who suffocated in their truck when they were not released in time. Their dreams spurred them to try for a better life. I can only imagine the conditions under which they spent their last few hours, and this is my homage to their courage and their hopes.

Special thanks go out to artist Lynden Cline for her piece entitled: "Esperar." She reminded me of this one of my favorite Spanish words. Esperar means either to wait or to hope. So often they are intertwined.

Esperar

Silent, silent barely breathing
Hearts are pounding out our fear
Will they stop us at the border
Will they take all we hold dear

Crowded, crowded barely breathing
Skin to skin like lovers tight
This truck’s a prison and a savior
Stealth by night sweat pours by light

Esperar to hope for a better day
Esperar to wait for a chance
Esperar to run for the open door
Esperar to live free at last

Wishing, wishing barely breathing
Have my family to support
Darkness is my only harbor
This gamble is my last resort

Dying, dying barely breathing
Air so thin each breath’s a gasp
Holding hands we pray together
We’d thought freedom in our grasp

Tragic, tragic said officials
When the news came on the wire
Tighten borders, call security
Have to build those fences higher

Saddened, saddened said the people
That so many should have died
But the jobs are ours. We need them
Yielding them we can’t abide

(Break)

Magic, magic transformation
Might allow us to embrace
Those from different lands and places
Meeting Hope with each new face