carving out a life
vast iron beasts
slowly rotting
as collapsing plaster
and hardwood floors
attempt vainly
to survive
the atacama´s abuse
morning chill riding above the sea
an entire town
conceived by greed
man´s need to conquer
amongst your ruins
photos, obsolete documents
your company tokens
a generator long dormant
which gave you light
the nitrate from the ground
which gave you life
the boss´s house
and all the denizens
of this once thriving operation
arriving here I ponder the lives led
the moments of hope and despair
removed from the sea
from everywhere
hard working laborers 12 hours a day
pounding against the core of the earth
to retreat a few steps
to a modest home
a game of cards
and the only escape
a bottle of wine