battered buses jammed up to the roof

dust and diesel the prevailing themes.

farmer sleeping on the truck in front,

feet trailing over like he's trolling for dreams.

smiling girl directing traffic flow

.45 strapped over cotton print dress.

marimba-brown and graceful limbs

give me a moment of loneliness



dust and diesel

rise like incense from the road --

smoke of offering

for the revolution morning



headlights pick out fallen sack of corn

one lone tarantula standing guard.

we pull up and stop and she ambles off --

discretion much the better part of cars.

rodrigo the government driver jumps out --

he's got chickens who can use the feed.

we sweep the asphalt on our hands and knees --

fill up his trunk with dusty yellow seeds.



dust and diesel

rise like incense from the road --

smoke of offering

for the revolution morning



guitars and rifles in blue moonlight

soldiers stretched out on sparkling grass.

engine broke down -- they took us in --

now we make music for the time to pass.

tired men and women raise their voice to the night --

hope the fragile bloom they've grown will last.

pride and passion and love and fear --

burning hearts burning boats of the past.



dust and diesel

rise like incense from the road --

smoke of offering

for the revolution morning



(INTERAMERICAN HIGHWAY -- NICAARAGUA MARCH 1983)