We celebrate International Mother Tongue day today.
Every language has its place.
We don’t always need to tell
what we know.
We sometimes choose silence on purpose.
🦯🤫🧠⚖️
“Grandma, it’s dollar, not dorra.”
At the bank.
My grandchild minds my English.
I blush.
🦯🤫🧠⚖️
But smile.
And wink behind her.
“The old lady’s dumb.”
In Mandarin.
I clutch my walking stick.
🦯🤫🧠⚖️
You see, I know.
I got what that bank teller said.
Just decided
NOT to say so.
🦯🤫🧠⚖️
So I am ignorant.
I am weak.
I do not get it.
But I know.
🦯🤫🧠⚖️
This is about using language and power.
Let them think they know.
But I know.
I want to speak
Only when THEY need to learn.
More than me.
🦯🤫🧠⚖️
Original poem by Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin. AI tags are coincidental.
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The Getting Literal Writing Alcove 