Video Recording: For Mary and Emma
Hey Mary, Hey Emma,
Let’s say together
what we have made our own:
κοινὰ τὰ τῶν φίλων.
Those who know no Greek
will understand what is essential:
we are friends.
In class, you let me ramble,
which I do well,
while you do all the work,
if you call it work
to play qui, quae, quod
and quack like ducks.
Some folks say Latin and Homer’s Greek are dead.
They’ll know better
when they hear angels like you
speak only bella Latina
and reckon things by the Αlpha and 0mega.
Those who know no Latin or ancient Greek
will find themselves back in school.
Not you!
Valete, vos amo magis quam dicere possum.