BEFORE THE ELECTION

An open truck rolls down the empty avenue, banners draped
Over the rail, young men shouting at the painting posse in
Ardent support. On a cemetery wall, slogans are daubed:
‘VASQUEZ – MUJICA’; EL 609’; ‘ON THE 31ST,
HELP THEM TO LEAVE.’ At midnight prompt, playing by the rules, the
Painting stops, factions retire. For two days a phoney peace
Will reign as the country awaits: the breaking of the mould,
A fresh piece of folklore, a day of which songs will be sung?

Dylan says that when you’ve got nothing, you’ve got nothing to
Lose. Right now this city feels like a Dylan lyric. In
The dime stores and bus stations, people draw conclusions on
The walls. Only… they’ve found something. Small and surprising,
Such an intangible possession, a gift for the ones
Who felt they’d lost it all. This something is a vote, which in
The barter scheme of things buys optimism, confidence, a
Sense of hope. Watching the news, they pinch themselves in dis-
Belief. At this thing which is theirs, which surely shall be theirs,
This sense of a future. The wind blows their way, at last.


montevideo 30.10.01