Chernobyl, 1985

Hail the blest atomic morn
Another worthless song is born
The power surge reactor four
Up to the sky ascends

Veils the blest atomic sea
Its mouth off Highway 33
Whose lips--untouched with blasphemy--
Our glowing eyes attend

Planted in a deadwood field
Your voice in my ear
I’ve heard that sound before
I don’t want to hear no more

About the red rock sky
About the hemlock line
I’ve heard that sound before

Harps we dressed on grinding stone
Sharp to press our harvest home
Rank in vain and file prone
Our mortal thoughts impart

Time will fill our windowsills
With Black Strap from molasses mills
Neither time nor I can fill
Your 1985 Chernobyl heart

Planted in a deadwood field
Your voice in my ear
I’ve heard that sound before
I don’t want to hear that sound no more

Lit up as the Arco sky
On the 17th of July
I’ve seen that town before
I don’t want to see that town no more

I made a little hand-drawn sign
Tied it to a roadway sign
Tandem swing boat rides
On the Oregon saw blade climbed

Never was a heart so pure
Never was a step so sure