Driving Down and Up a Hill in Kindu

My truck rumbles down the hill
An upside down wave of dirt and pebble
Three merchant stands cluster at the bottom
Like the nights before

The stands are shrines with candles
To the cigarette gods
To the candy goddesses
Watched over by women
Worshipped by children

I drive slowly by
Leaving no offering
And up the crest of the wave
To find another blessing