Central Babylonian University

By The Fishermen

Is Vienna our Babylonian captivity?

Why not sell the campus in Budapest —

be honest: do you still have hope?

You decorate everything with idols of it.

You show it to your high-profile friends.

It is the apple of your eye, is it not?

We all know the Bachelors

are your unwanted children,

and yet you use them as the goose

that lays the golden eggs for you.

What programs were your pride

now seem unsustainable to you.

Do you take your Doctorandi for granted?

Do you think there is nowhere better for them?

Do you want to divide and conquer your own community,

which ‘has always been the main core of its strength?’

We are afraid to ask.

Is there anyone left with vision for this university?

What was temporary has stretched into years.

Do you really think that it has ten more?

You are wandering aimlessly. You live in the past.

It is hardly a shadow of what it once was.

Do you think we are so blinded by your empty words?

There was a mission once.

Even the founder said that ‘it changed quite a bit. ’

What has it changed to in your opinion?

Is it merely survival?

Do you still see saviors in the foundation?

Are you waiting for a miracle to happen?

They are your false prophets

and you had too much wine to drink.

Has it become a whitewashed tomb?

Is this what you had in mind for it?

Listen.

We are still here, because we believe that this university matters.

We believe that there is an unspoken strength to it.

If a tree is cut down, there is hope that it will sprout again.

Speak clearly. Talk to us.

Do not use us. Entrust us.

Let the Prodigal Son come home,

and the Remnants return.

Or have your tower piled up and consider renaming this university.