Language Yours and Mine

Language it’s life
we can talk
you and me
in mine
not yours –
yet, that’s
what you need.

How can I teach
a language
that’s yours
not mine –
All I can say is
accha, khush
kubhsurat
challo, bus
kuda hafiz
apka nam
thik ..

Bus, I’m fed up of this.

How will you
prosper or
even survive
on a handful
of sayings –
No
you’ll be
eaten alive.

Language:
lifeblood of life
communication
sophistication
colloquialism
expression
mannerism
pronunciation

Language
how can I teach
something
you need
what good is
accha
thik hai …

Bus, I’m fed up of this.

I feel so useless
like I
teach you
to play
into a game
a timepass
party trick.

– Woof,
catch,
fetch
give paw,
chase tail,
stay there.
Ok, ENOUGH
very good
challo
thik hai. –

Where
I cannot get over
the very
first bridge.

This is
no party.
You’re life
‘ll be tough.
You’ll
be played:
With
language
top prize
of the
big power game.

I play you
songs –
listen, it’s radio;
youtube rhymes,
look challo;
Dvd listen
bum bum .. bhole,
…. I can sing that.

Familiar sounds
but I cannot
explain
when you ask
what they mean.

I encourage,
I pretend,
I tell you
You understand

I can teach
you
to try
to NEVER
give up,
I hope
the songs
give you
enough.

Enough…
so you’re smart
so those sounds
sink in –
… Déjà vu …
… Somewhere …
The future
you say
I’ve heard that before
My mum
Showed me that.

Then you’ll
get wise
– The game –
You’ll
listen,
learn
to assimilate.

It hurts,
it tears
me
in two.

Mum and Kam 2015 ©