October 31st in Maputo

World of many souls
On a charcoal night
World of many souls here below
World of many souls
I remember the light
Opening across the windy bay

Kettle’s boiling over
Take it off the fire
Before beans and water burn their worth away
Coal smudges on a canvas of dust
The ends of cloth on my wrist are frayed

World of many souls
On a charcoal night
World of many souls here below
World of many souls
I remember the light
Stretching across the windy bay

Boatman on your duty
Do you see the shore?
Last boat to traverse Catembe side
Red coals in the dusk of a cooking fire
Drink Laurentina dark to end the day

World of many souls
On a charcoal night
World of many souls here below
World of many souls
Think I see the light
Opening across the windy bay

Tire as a life vest on a sea of smoke
Billows as the undulating streets
Sailing down the boulevard
The stone smote berth
Helps a charcoal seller on her way

World of many souls
And its all souls night
World of many souls here below
World of many souls
Think I saw the light
Opening across the windy bay