Opus Dei
--Adélia Prado (trans. by Ellen Doré Watson)

Butterflies don’t give up,
they have no idea their name is unbecoming.
The seasons follow each other flawlessly
and still you’re afraid to admit
..............there’s no sin in saying
O Beauty, thou art my joy.
Loosen up,
..............Jonathan is just a man.
If you so much as curl your lip
his lance is back in business.
An insect exhausts reason utterly,
wisely grinding up sums.
One drop of sap can kill a man—
that’s why you should surrender to anything

that makes you that beautiful when you laugh.
...................................This is not comic opera.
It’s just a not-knowing shot through with lightning.
..............If Jonathan turns out to be God, you’re right
..............and if not, you’re still right
..............because you believe it
and no one can be blamed for loving.