My Spanish isn't enough
I remember how I'd smile
listening to my little ones,
understanding every word they'd say,
5 their jokes, their songs, their plots.
Vamos a pedirle dulces a mamá. Vamos.!
But that was in Mexico.
Now my children go to American high schools.
They speak English. At night they sit around
10 the kitchen table, laugh with one another.
I stand by the stove and feel dumb, alone.
I bought a book to learn English.
My husband frowned, drank more beer.
My oldest said, "Mamá, he doesn't want you
15 to be smarter than he is." Im fortv.
еmbarrassed at mispronouncing words,
embarrassed at thе laughter of my children,
the grocer, the mailman. Sometimes I take
my English book and lock myself in the bathroom,
20 sav the thick words softlv,
for if I stop trying, I will be deaf
when my children need my help.