“Welcome to Mendota” by Pedro Rivas Lopez

Welcome to Mendota

The Cantaloupe center of the world 

And the place that births and fosters immigrant dreams 

Dreams we can achieve as we are told

by the grown folk to get your education and follow your passion

But your passion remains idle like the fountain that welcomes us into town 

We are awakened by the sound of the van honking at 4:30am and our life flashes before our eyes

The moment we left it all behind to pursue this American Dream

We awaken to the sad realization our passion must remain on pause as we make our way to the fields in a van packed of silenced Dreams, ready to tackle the day ahead and earn their daily bread 

The summer heat helps our body shed tears of pain and as we labor away we heal and maintain strong for another day

Hoping for better days

We do our best

Welcome to Mendota

The place that welcomed our family back in 1990

Como Mariposas Monarcas we left our beautiful country behind in search for that better life

We arrived…(full version available upon inquiry).