Losing Language

Z est of oblivion,
A qua like Lethe:
C ounting traditions
U nlike the habits of mind:
A  flight of generation to generation and 
N ight to day.
P racticed through our way to mark the earth.
A s if we have forgotten our ancestors
P eople who founded art,
A people who found beauty in the curiosity of a butterfly.
L ight has simmered
O n the very opening of our lips
T hough not entirely our fault.
L ost in the inevitable
S ought by no one yet acted upon by everyone.


Inspired by Brenda Cárdenas’ “Zacuanpapalotls”