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