Et Tu Brute

Agricola……
so started Gaius Caesar’s last assault
a farmer, who we hated by default
for Latin somehow came to rule our world
as meanings of declension slow unfurled

Thus, were we tossed into the forum’s pit
to grapple with the words and how they fit
to stand alone before the silenced crowd
to read our mock translations, mumbling loud

as he, with leaders of judgement’s phalanx
resembled pirates as we walked the plankx
plunged into the ablatives and datives
for none can speak a language as the natives

and so we settled for our Cee’s and Dee’s
as Gaius Caesar brought us to our knees
for laughter accompanied declension
followed by a visit to detention


©2/10/2022

Latin Lessons Poetry Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Krutsinger Avatar
February 27, 2022 at 3:41 PM
This is amazing! I know no Latin but my daughter does. I shall share this with her.
Croft Avatar
February 18, 2022 at 12:54 AM
Congrats on your win!! -Karen
Agustin Avatar
February 17, 2022 at 11:59 PM
Wow! Thanks for sharing this. God bless you. God bless you.
Alex Avatar
February 17, 2022 at 7:26 PM
Very beautiful writing. Congratulations!
Watt Avatar
February 17, 2022 at 3:25 PM
John, you are a magnum poeta for putting together this account of your school days struggles with Latin. Loved the image of you and your peers "walking the plankx" to take your exams. Enjoyed the read, congrats for your win ~ John (ha, my Captcha code is "DCD")
Lawless Avatar
February 17, 2022 at 3:45 PM
Wel, John, it seems that Latin finally paid off ......
Lillico  Avatar
February 17, 2022 at 1:56 PM
Simply the best, Love everything about it! Clever, witty, poetic and fun! Thanks for participating! M.
Lawless Avatar
February 17, 2022 at 3:44 PM
Thank you Margarita, I had a lot of fun reminiscing and writing
Wolf Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 8:54 PM
Omnes Gallia divides in tres partes. ~ Ad astra per aspera, Gershonium Wolfus
Lawless Avatar
February 14, 2022 at 6:01 AM
I hit the wall with the dative of ablative in a trot
Rodrigues Avatar
February 11, 2022 at 6:15 PM
Fun write!
Lawless Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 11:29 AM
yep, as we used to chant. "Latin is a dead language lying in the dust, first it killed the Romans and now it's killing us...ah Sophomore year
Romios Avatar
February 11, 2022 at 9:40 AM
John... Outstanding, best wishes for first place! I studied four years of Latin. Panagiota Caesar.)))
Lawless Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 11:28 AM
Hey Pangie, never saw much use for it in high school...but then poetry called and words and their legacy haunted me.
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