English as a second language

Welcome to
English as a Second Language,
you probably have no idea that you are in,
English as a Second Language,
do not worry
one day
you will master all of these foreign sounds
maybe even become poet
perform English on a stage
like you were born of this
let them be shocked to find out
that you were not born of this
but look how well you learned
how natural you sound
like damn,
you don’t even have an accent.
Be proud.

So proud
that you become ashamed
your parents’ English
is laced in still learning
please keep them at
home
while all the other kids snag rides
have their parents in the stands
you bus
serve volleyballs
and run countless laps on the track
alone.
You will not learn
of this shame
until all of these things you have
outgrown.

This class
will teach you
assimilate
absorb
you will learn nothing of
different
of hold on to your roots
that accent
is anchor
but you are young
so easy to bring to the surface
we will rip you apart
but speak little of pain
and grief
never acknowledge
that your perfect English
is cause for celebration
AND
funeral

here, a shovel
please begin to dig and bury
do not worry about what is lying in the grave
now, write eulogy
in one language
make sure it is not your own
that should be easy
you wouldn’t even know where to start
but let’s start,
“here,
lies
the connecting ties
to my ancestors
to my grandparents
to my mother and father
to Russian word for
uncle
nephew
cousin
and everything else I have forgotten
here,
is accent,
and every relationship limited
because we did not have the words
here,
lie all of the words,”

now,
plant these seeds,
from them will sprout
oak tree
it is
The People’s Choice
look, how we have made you
The People’s Choice
grown you
watered you American.

Do not fret
this has always been for your own good
how else do you expect to survive
in this melting pot
if you do not melt.
Please, Do not fight this.
Oh
you are so young
you don’t even know that maybe you should.

To the student
in English as a Second Language
please worry
there is no class
for bringing
your first language back.