The Wells of our History

Once we had wells,
a few, which at times
refreshed our lips -
in years of no rain,
in years of thirst
when we were visited by locust and serpents -
and which filled with corpses.

They say those whom God wishes to destroy
he first makes mad -
but why us?

Using our devices
we drew up from the wellsblack
water of affliction,
as if we suspected nothing
and were unaware for so long
that down there rot thrives.

We filled our ancient wells,
thousands of years old,
with the bodies of enemies,
our deficiencies and stupidities;

and now, desiccated,
in rags
and without strengthwe walk on –
gasping for breath,
self satisfied -
into the future...

Translation: Steven Gee