This news is peculiarly affecting and spurred a fleeting impulse in me to write a poem about it. I say “fleeting” because I remembered that Richard Wilbur has already addressed the issue beautifully, although concerning a different people and a different language:
To the Etruscan PoetsDream fluently, still brothers, who when young
Took with your mother’s milk the mother tongue,In which pure matrix, joining world and mind,
You strove to leave some line of verse behindLike still fresh tracks across a field of snow,
Not reckoning that all could melt and go.
Doubtless Bo speakers now have at least two things in common with the Etruscans. One, the distinction of being “wiped out by paternalistic policies […] and robbed of their land and independence.” Second, the fact that both survive at all thanks to the efforts of scholars.
Joseph Hutchison, Colorado Poet Laureate 2014-2019, has published 20 collections of poems and edited or co-edited three poetry anthologies. He currently directs two master’s-level programs for University College at the University of Denver: Professional Creative Writing and Arts & Culture Management. Joe lives with his wife, Melody Madonna, in the mountains southwest of Denver, Colorado, the city where he was born. 
Thanks for this post, Joseph … so sad and important. The Wilbur is lovely also.
This is very sad and touching, yes. Throw your hat into the ring with Wilbur and share what you write on this! 🙂