No Great Wit
Sept 11 2023
I am reduced to a 6 year old
in this strange new country
where I fumble with a foreign tongue.
It's frustrating
not to mention humbling.
But oddly freeing, as well.
Because no one expects much of me.
Because I get to throw up my hands, and relax.
Because I'm forced to listen, observe, step back,
follow passively
where I used to lead.
In my day
6 year olds
only spoke when spoken to
did what we were told.
All I wanted
was to grow up
and have some control of my life.
But now, it's a relief to let go.
And I’m on vacation
so I can be anyone I want.
How refreshing,
to re-invent myself
as a little kid
in a grown man's body.
No great wit
or deep thoughts
are expected of me.
I am the slow one
who is indulged
and must depend on the kindness of others.
My loud voice
and dumb jokes,
off-the-cuff opinions
and tendency to interrupt
belong to the old version of me.
And now, unexpectedly young
I'm the listener
with next to nothing to say.
If only I'd learned earlier
that silence becomes me;
how holding my tongue
opens my ear.
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