讲华鱼
2021
讲华鱼不róng yì。
这个，我只到。
我是五suì，在学
how to 画huì běn。
讲华雨不róng yì，
可是 it’s alright, because
我只是五 suì。
讲华语 is tentative。
This, I know.
I am P3, learning
“风和日丽”
and “总的来说”,
I stick to these
Because they are
Chop-stamp correct.
讲华语 is tentative，
But it’s alright.
If I keep my mouth
Shut,
No one can know
I’m bad at it.
Speaking Chinese is terrifying.
This, I know.
PSLE is around the corner,
But don’t worry,
I’ll do fine.
I’ll memorise
Pre-set phrases,
Like “懂事的孩子“ and
“一朝被蛇咬”,
Ace my exams.
The thought of the
Slippery rhythm of language
And untouchable fluidity
Has me swallowing
My bile-words
Back down my throat.
But it’s alright,
I just need my
Cookie-cutter A.
Still, time works like
Magic, erasing
Black-printed
“总的来说“s seared against
My brainstem. It
Guides my hand
And shows me once again
How to 画绘本 with
Shaky handwriting
And rainbow markers.
It promises me that
It’ll be alright,
Whispers me truths
Like how
Speaking Chinese is fun.
When I’m lying in bed,
And the disjointed phrases
Come pouring out.
No “风和日丽”s
To snap at
My stumbling words,
No “一朝被蛇咬”s
To lurk along
My larynx.
只有冷气机安心地呼气,
和被子疼爱地拥抱.
在这个温暖的黑暗，
如同世界无人,
讲华语变得
容易点了。