It is a terrible thing when Culture
no longer sustains and nourishes,
but, like air or water too polluted
to breathe or drink, becomes
a dark force from which we must
seek refuge, and most especially,
protect the young.
[ROOTS: refugium >>> refuge >>>
re = back + fugare = flee;
same root as fugue >>> fuga = fight,
in the sense of two or more voices ‘fleeing’
from one another, as in the flight of some
birds, say, like swallows]