Language

Do you speak your language? 

I stare — I just said: how are you? 

I thought English was my language

apparently it isn’t

I thought Halkomelem was gibberish

the devil’s language

that’s what the nuns said

apparently not

Some white guy sets me straight:

Aboriginal people are losing languages

Funny, thought I had it just a moment ago

maybe it’s in Gramma’s old shoebox

maybe it's sandwiched between papers

in plastic bags hidden under mom’s bed

Hey, has anyone seen my language?