The Mines Of Mozambique

there's a broad river winding
through this african lowland
the moon is held up orange and big
see it raise its hands
and the last ferry's to stand
for the mines of Mozambique
there's a wealth of amputation
waiting in the ground
but no one can remember
where they put it down
if you're the children who finds it there
you will rise upon the sound
of the mines of Mozambique
some men rob the passersby
for a bit of cash to spend
some men rob whole countries dry
and still get called their friend
and under the feeding frenzy
there's a wound that will not mend
in the mines of Mozambique
night, like peace,
is a state of suspension
tomorrow the heat will rise
and mist will hide the marshy fields
the mango and the cashew trees
which only now they're clearing brush from under
rusted husks of blown-up trucks
line the roadway north of town
like passing through a sculpture gallery
war is the artist
but he's sleeping now
and somebody will be peddling vials of
penicillin
stolen out of all the medical kits sent to the
countyside
and in a bare workshop they'll be molding
plastic into little prosthetic limbs
for the children of this artist
and for those who farm the soil that
received his bitter seed..
the all-night stagglers stagger home
cocks begin to crow
and singing birds are starting up
telling what they know
and after awhile the sun will come
and we'll see what it will show
of the mines of Mozambique