ESMERALDA Salvador, the afternoon sunlight is folding around us, The dishes are done, The buildings here, tall as our mountains Slice through the windows and cut off the sun. On such days I find I am longing for Puerto Rico Though I never would return 'til you are free But when I hear the Aguinaldo my heart's a little lighter And we dance together Aurea and me In my life I've been unlucky with two husbands Gumersindo liked his rum and women friends Then that hypocrite who beat you and preached about repentance Has gone, and so another Sunday ends And tomorrow is another hard working Monday I'm still hoping for the raise they promised me There's a job as operator I would not have to wait for If I could speak the language easily But I tell Aurea: The barrio's boundaries are our own little nation Sometimes I hear you run upstairs And I view my light with resignation Keep your bible near you Time is an ocean of endless tears. Mmm. . .