HUGO HAVRANEK

Sign Language

They hand in hand with wandering steps and slow,

Through Eden took their solitary way.

John Milton, Paradise Lost XII

I

The Emperor will give the word.  Thumb, be

The right way up (whatever that might be);

Now that that dual-edged duel is lost and won,

The floored must live (to fight another one.)

II

My five fingers now form a crude symbol.

Those same five fingers also give my word,

The middle swearing one way and the little

Swearing the other, in symbolic discord;

I cannot put my finger on what’s true,

So long as fingers cross (and people, too.)

III

London is caked in white heart-warming blanket.

They said that it would rain, but it snowed

Heavily.  Fingers locked forev- (Forget it-

She said that she will stay, but she’ll go:

She cheated in the snowball fight, and oh!

I know she’ll cheat on you in time, I do.)

IV

They said that it would snow, and it’s snowing;

London’s reborn in white nursery rime.

My heart is in my hand: I am not going.

I’m telling you: it’s not that way this time.

And it means nothing, what I said before –

Just – I will have you, and you will have me, for-

V

How can I give my word?  The snow’s now slush,

But my heart’s always- How can I have you

Know?  Or make myself heard, when symbols clash,

That all those things I’ve promised you are true?