Learning Poem by Devon McElveen

All of these words used around me,
I do not understand them.
What has been said, I wonder?
Could they be speaking of me?
Lowly or highly,
Could someone somehow tell me?

Teach me their tongue,
So I can interact with my brethren
And understand their ideas.
Can I empathize with these people?
Allow me to do so
For I want to know who they are.

But do they feel the same?
Do they care of my existence?
Do they find me useful?
I know not their names
Yet,
I feel I have known them from a time past.
They speak,
But I can not answer them,
I only nod in approval.

Teach me their tongue,
So I can tell my story
From eyes of my own.

So I can answer coherently,
So I can enjoy their presence.
So I can love my brethren.
I yearn for the knowing of their times,
Of their struggles,
Of their lives.

Teach me their tongue,
I am willing to learn.