Life line of air
food, hope
births jubilation
as first miner
rises 700 meters
slowly to the top and
greets life’s sudden reality
transformed.

For two days we watched
as you dangled
one-by-one, by a cord
not nine months in the waiting
but no less powerful
in its consequence.

69 days of a surreal existence
buried in the bowels of the earth
President Pinera at full attention
with billions hidden by his side
the drama as ancient as the mine
an ingenious time capsule
created to turn back the clock
to safety before the fall
entombed miners.

We are the keepers of our
sisters and brothers
unspoiled by Cain’s touch
in a world that now knows the way
to Chile’s San Jose mine
Rescuer Manuel Gonzalez
gets into the Fenix capsule
taking his life into his own hands
descends into darkness
to discover the light.

Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair
tear-streaked cheeks await
the early to late risings
the stone rolled away
as a nation and the world
are reborn to hope.

No “great escape” this
but rather a rescue
driven by a bit and
the beating of human hearts.