Translating Latin
The Latin etched in cement
Above the mantelpiece
Suddenly translated itself
Into the English of the street.
Those who worshipped the Latin
When not understood,
Blushed, trembled, began
To make strange noises.
The English saw the panic
That understanding caused,
Fell from the mantelpiece,
Cracked into many pieces,
Sent white dust throughout the room.
The dust clung to all the lips in the room.
Everybody had white lips.
Everyone looked at the white lips of the others.
The white lips looked like the lips of death.
Everyone had come to the banquet to kiss,
But now no one wanted to kiss.
Duane Locke
Posted over on Tryst
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