Selected Poems by Thomas Lux

Author:Thomas Lux [Lux, Thomas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781780372105
Publisher: Bloodaxe Books
Published: 2014-05-15T04:00:00+00:00

The Language Animal

Because he can speak, because he can use his words, a whole headful

of them, he gives everything

names, even things that call themselves,

forever, something else.

Because he can speak he can efficiently lie,

or obscure with such brilliance

a listener with less language

is glad to lose more of it.

Because he can speak

he will be lonely

because those who speak back speak another language

of other derivations.

Because he can speak he speaks.

Because he can speak he can pray out loud.

Because he can speak the predators are drawn to him in the night.

Because he can speak

he invented the ear, then two, to better hear himself speak.

Because he can speak he thought he could sing.

Because he can speak

he has one more thing to do

besides searching for food,

or hiding so as not to be food.

Because he can speak he draws a full breath

and speaks,

in sentences, each one beginning with a large letter

and ending with a period,

or the soon-to-be-invented marks

that indicate bewilderment and awe.

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