The Translation of the Central Park Obelisk:
Cleopatra’s Needle
By
Brian Thomas Johnston
First Frame of image above:
We are the rulers of his land and this is what we decree:
We have ruled this land since long before your parents were born and then you came across the ocean to us. You came to us as invaders and you tried to destroy our cities. You were the worst kind of people imaginable. You said you wanted to see God Himself then when I came you said I couldn’t be God as I was too beautiful. You said that you were so ugly compared to our people that you had to rape and kill us all. These are horrendous crimes.
Third frame of image:
These are the second decrees we have made:
You said you came across the ocean to see God then when He came you said you didn’t believe him. When you came over the ocean you said you were good people- lacuna. When you came across the ocean you said you came for spiritual enlightenment then you said we lied. These are very great crimes.
Second frame of image above:
When you came across the ocean you said that you wanted to help us make a better world then you tried to kill everyone and you almost succeeded. Then you said you were going to help us rebuild after the great war you created and all the destruction, but then you left and you never came back. When you came across the ocean you made our children very angry and they are going to be the ones to kill you all. Every one of you. These crimes cannot be forgiven.
Fourth Frame:
When you came across the ocean you made war -lacuna- hatred- lacuna. When you went back across the ocean you made everything so bad that you destroyed everything in yor own lands and now you are our slaves.