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Ballad of Gabi
by Gabriela Valdepeńa
Not long ago in tierra Azteca
Grandpa, sweet and savvy,
Everyday sang slow Mixteca
And loved his little Gabi.
On every morning, sun or cloud,
He’d take her from the window
To where the marigolds would crowd
And blue birds fed on Bimbo.
‘Twas he who taught her how to read,
And he who held her up,
And he who kissed her tiny feet,
And he who held her cup.
But then her Dad came home from war
And said: “My Gabi dear
I’m weary, so, of being poor
No work for gringos here.”
So off they went up north, although
Dear Grandpa couldn’t come;
And little Gabi missed him so
And felt so sad and glum.
“I’m so lonely here in Texas,”
Gabi wrote to him;
“Maybe he’ll come home for Christmas,”
Said Momma with a grin.
But then on Christmas Eve, they heard
That Grandpapa had died;
And oh how Dad and Momma hurt!
And oh how Gabi cried!
So through the salty veil of tears
She wrote to Santa Claus:
“Won’t you bring my Grandpa here
Instead of all these toys?”
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