Poetry by Laura Tavasse : luceat eis

luceat eis

the morning streets 
blossom with schoolchildren, with the summer sound
of an indoor pool, a squealing aquarium
of inventing games. humans are filled
with such a curious stuffing,
blood and bones and laughter
and lots of air.

Author’s Note

“Luceat eis” stems from the Latin phrase “et lux perpetua luceat eis” which means “and eternal light shall shine for them”. It’s from the liturgical text for a (Catholic) requiem mass. So “luceat eis” by itself means “shall shine for them”.