Slate Tiles
by Jacques Prevert

Why does the language of bad luck say
Coming down like a ton of bricks,
Never like slate tiles
Because I bring good luck the slate tile replies
With its creaky and stubborn voice
With its warm and timid voice
Useful
Happy
The slate tile knows what it says
Says the roofer
And she says it to me
That’s sweet
The slate tile is polished, polite
It answers to something
And that something is my question
There are so many things that say nothing
So many people that answer to nothing
It
Is a lovely thing
The slate tile