海角大神

In the Haut-Jura

A poem.

In the Haut-Jura

If you say Monsieur Ernest
听too quickly
听pushing a liaison with your tongue
听it sounds like Monsieur rare nest
听and he laughs
听because he gets the joke,
听although he hides his English
听so you'll keep showing your French.
听He knew your mother when she was a girl
听and he's pleased you've stopped in
听all the way from l'Am茅rique
听just to see him, not calling him Oncle, or just Monsieur,
听but
听Monsieur rare nest.
听Quickly he offers cider
听to get you to say it again.
听If you resist, he holds a piece of Morbier
听on the end of his knife
听and tells you that cheese is
听the answer to everything.
听And for a minute you believe him
听because lights are coming on
听across the valley
听and the sweet breath
听of baby calves fills the night.
Gabriella Brand

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