Poem - The Ballad of the Narco Submarine

this is the ballad of the narco boat
fully submersible to 30 ft
air-conditioned for the long dark haul
pushed by fast diesels
across the death of the sea

departed at night with no stars seen
out from uncharted cliffs mud and mango trees
we stood out north northeast in the swell
at 3 am we hit an uncharted reef
and sank with 4 tons of cocaine

the designers were appalled
and so were the accountants and bosses
sealed in the deep our names won't be called
they said it would be a short trip
and the money would be paid cash on return

the sea moves and the distant shore waits
in the jungles new leaves grow
boxes and plastic bags are filled for the subs
farmers and poor boys in need line up
being made ready to go

the dock is rotten and the planks sigh
up the bundles go one by one
a child watches and is innocent enough to be afraid
afraid of the periscope and green fiberglass
afraid for the driver afraid of the sea

this is the ballad of the narco sub
across the death of the sea
mary mary mother of god pray for us
forever now we're under the water
la campana de la aldea se agrieta próxima
vez que suene