The Disappeared

I heard it said,
“Evil was invented
to give us something
to talk about”

But how to speak
if each syllable
falls into the sea

The m of mother
drifting away
other, other
where have you gone?

The f of father
sinking further down
ather, ather
where have you gone?

They didn’t fall
They were thrown

to leave us
without speech
to drown our words.

Cecilia Vicuna