English Words! Poem by Paul Sebastian
English Words!
A long drive up north, on my own
I stopped by at a country town,
To answer nature’s call
Feeling urgent, I didn’t stall
Entering a shopping centre
Enquired at the first counter:
Where the lavatories were?
The petite girl’s polite answer:
Mister, take the lift…third floor!
Enquired again on the third floor:
Could you tell me where the toilet is?
She sent me back to the ground floor.
It dawned on me: The girl’s lack of English.
For her: ‘Lavatory’ sounded as level-three!
Lavatory: a forgotten word of old English;
‘Toilet’: the new for old: it dawned on me.
...Such things are quite possible..... not only words but even their pronunciation can land us in difficulty... You have humorously narrated a simple anecdote of every day life... Interesting!
a poem about language barrier. Brilliant poem Please also comment on my poems
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4/23/2024 11:50:24 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Comical, I couldn't help but giggle when I can across this poem. I love poets who respect rhyme schemes (patterns) , as a student of Literature I have been drilled to look at that as soon as I engage with a poem (Modern day brainwashing, lol.) Rhyme schemes are overlooked today as free verse takes priority over structure. Let me be the first one to appreciate your effort in constructing this poem with respect to rhyming patterns. Here is the pattern I picked up: aa, bb, cc, dd, e: ab, ab, d, a, d. Interesting pattern and a lovely read!