Bellflowers -

In the springtime when the bellflowers bloom

In the hills high above Santiago

They hang their red petals low

For Daniel Zamudio

And the sidewalks that lead down to the sea

In the town where they’re drowning in history

Are lined with abused ghosts

Haunting our blue coast

An ugliness exposed

Beneath the bellflowers

But more than anything

I wish for the rocks and the trees to sing

A beautiful sound in the month of spring

And open their cruel eyes

To see the bellflowers

More than anything

I wish for the rocks and the trees to bring

Men to their knees for the bones that sleep

And open their cruel minds

Beneath the bellflowers

It is springtime in the country I love

And the hills high above Santiago

Echo a blue tone

For Daniel Zamudio

Who died by her gray stones

And bled in her green garden

She’ll keep his grave close

And ringed with bellflowers

But more than anything

I wish for the rocks and the trees to sing

A beautiful sound in the month of spring

And open their cruel eyes

To see the bellflowers

More than anything

I wish for the rocks and the trees to bring

Men to their knees for the bones that sleep

And open their cruel hearts

Beneath the bellflowers