“The Angel of Alvarado Street” | 1st Place
Bill DiLuigi
Nashville, Tennessee

I carried the weight of my sorrows
Down the naked streets of Juarez
A candle burned in the window, there
She washed a black, cotton dress
I waited in the courtyard, Like a cripple at the mission gates
I heard church bells ringin’ and the singing of the saints

She led me into her kitchen
We spoke of love and loss
In the pale, pink light of a dying sky
The shadow of our spirits crossed
There was a rosary of tears and wood made with her own hands
And a beautiful aching that I will never forget

Desert flowers, I see them now, around the Savior’s feet
Attended by the Angel of Alvarado Street
Desert flowers, I see them now, around the Savior’s feet
Attended by the Angel of Alvorado Street

She undid the widow’s knot
Her hair fell dark and soft
Her kiss was like a rising prayer
From the chapel of the heart
Mercy filled each sweet touch and the cross above her bed
Reminded us that it was time to bury the dead

Desert flowers, I see them now, around the Savior’s feet
Attended by the Angel of Alvorado Street
Desert flowers, I see them now, around the Savior’s feet
Attended by the Angel of Alvorado Street