When I was very young, I clearly remember not speaking a word of English. My older brothers would laugh and ask my mum, “What did Viv just say?” I thought they were the odd ones. Needless to say, my mum- being a teacher herself, fixed everything. I read the entire ‘Jack and Jill series, as well as a few others. Those were painful reading times!
Six year old me sits at my mother’s feet
while she creates magic on her sewing machine
I know it’s time to read and spell again
I hate both.
Jack and Jill went up the hill
but no – mum wants me to spell every word too!
I hear the sounds of other kids playing outside
but I must follow Jack and Jill all the way down
the hill- stumbling over nouns and adjectives
all the while repeating their words
trying to make sense of it all
until I must have sounded mad
Every night- for a year
I sat at mum’s feet and learned a new tongue
It was the year I learned English
©Vivian Zems
Poets United Mid week Motif- Literacy
September 4, 2019 at 4:56 pm
Wow! That was tough. She must have known you would succeed with patience and accompaniment. Sad days for a reward of tongues.
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September 5, 2019 at 7:18 am
She was and still is my biggest supporter 😊
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September 4, 2019 at 7:29 pm
Wow! That is really an amazing story. Your mom knew words would give you wings – and now you are a poet!!!!
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September 5, 2019 at 7:19 am
Wow- words giving me wings! I love the imagery. Thank you 🙏🏾
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September 4, 2019 at 8:28 pm
You have accomplished so much in your life. I bow to your mother for teaching you. Well done.
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September 4, 2019 at 9:06 pm
Thanks Toni! She’s my hero❤️
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September 5, 2019 at 1:57 am
What a beautiful lovng story of your childhood Vivian. Mothers really can be the best can’t they?
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September 5, 2019 at 7:10 am
Thanks Robin. Yes mums are our angels on earth.
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September 5, 2019 at 1:59 am
Guess Jack and Jill is not your favourite nursery rhyme:)
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September 5, 2019 at 7:11 am
😂😂😂
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September 5, 2019 at 7:08 am
Aw…a painful yet rewarding time. Thank god we had our mothers. The note and the poem both present some cute scenes. Lovely.
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September 5, 2019 at 7:13 am
Thanks Sumana!
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September 5, 2019 at 9:53 am
I love the picture of you sitting at your mother’s feet, Viv, while she creates magic on her sewing machine – I had the same scenario with my grandmother. But I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to hear the other kids playing outside while you worked hard to please your mum by learning a new tongue.Now you’re creating magic with that tongue!
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September 8, 2019 at 4:40 pm
Amen to that, Kim! Thank you 😊
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September 8, 2019 at 5:56 pm
😄
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September 5, 2019 at 2:35 pm
What a great journey. I’m glad you have the gift of words
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September 8, 2019 at 4:39 pm
Thank you 🙏🏾
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September 5, 2019 at 4:15 pm
Must have been tough having a teacher with your mom’s abilities and you growing up not speaking her language. I’m glad you had her. Did you understand English spoken to you?
We have so much of this in Houston but with the rolls reversed. When the Spanish speaking kids reach school age they sort of teach their mums English as their kids learn and bring it home. Hispanic is Houston’s new majority. Quite a few suburbs are close. Our street is like a United Nation’s mixture, “Persians”, Chinese, Brazilisns, Netherland(s), Canadians, Mexicicans, and us U.S. I think more than half are with oil related industries. Phew!!
Our oldest sons were twins and they had a language of their own but understood our English. Gradually as they played with the neighbor kids they began speaking English. Their doctor had earlier assured us they would do that.
..
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September 8, 2019 at 4:38 pm
How fascinating…., your neighbourhood! Yes, I could understand some English. It just never occurred to my parents that they never spoke to me in English. My siblings were highly amused!
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September 6, 2019 at 4:08 pm
Wonderful experience Vivian! Hardwork is the only way out.
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September 8, 2019 at 4:29 pm
It sure is! Thank you for reading 😊
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September 8, 2019 at 4:44 pm
Poignant, hopeful, and inspiring. How wonderful that you have such a mom!
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September 8, 2019 at 4:52 pm
Thank you 😊- she’s the best♥️
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September 8, 2019 at 4:54 pm
❤
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September 24, 2019 at 7:17 pm
Thank you 😊
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