Dust And Diesel

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