Light and airy, compared to Chilean altiplano heat -

Juanita in her front room praying for the return

Of her beloved partner Rubens, 2 weeks missing

After the copper mine rockfall. In front of the shrine,

Clammy fingers toying with her worry beads,

She picks up the long-handled brush,

Sweeping at unseen, imaginary debris.

Sickle in hand, she collects her blue jacket,

& wide-brimmed cream sun hat and proceeds

To the smallholding of mixed wheat & maize.

(Two hours later)

Weather-beaten mine supervisor pulls up

In rusty Toyota pick-up truck, tyres screeching.

‘Great news’, he explains, ‘Rubens and the rest

Of the men all alive, in good spirits’. Juanita sinks

To her knees in relief. Now the hard work

Will begin to supply the men with water,

Food to build up their energy, telephone lines;

Prior to the drilling of escape shaft and cage.

But, for now, knowing he’s alive is enough.