Revival - Liyou Libsekal

The gate-guard is at special attention
positioned in highland chill
new gold buttons and a collar
hand-twined blanket in a
dejected corner

on the tables, reserve is hung
and the meat devoured with the
finest whiskies teasing the men teasing
supple women; spitting and spilling
archaic laughter

on a plush bed, the bride to be
cries over a set of pearls
and a dress of silk bred in caves
is smeared with salt and kohl

and the glasses bubble in the hall
a relief for the risoriis as the guests
whip to amnesic strings
streaking soil over the marble

for a fortnight, the house will scramble

eat for days lest the good flesh spoils

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Liyou Libsekal (born 1990) Ethiopia
Source: Cordite Poetry Review