Oh I know this feeling well and adore this poem. I lived in Sweden for a year and know no Swedish (or close to none - I tried to learn but I'm really bad with languages), then France then Puerto Rico, again with little joy in learning the language despite trying! The thing I found hardest and loneliest was not being able to understand anyone else's conversations. I didn't realise how important it was for me to overhear others, even if I wasn't engaging. When I moved back to England I conversely felt completely overwhelmed with people, even if I wasn't interacting! Anyway, here's to existential loneliness (the poet's curse?) and another fantastic poem 💚
I completely get that. I discovered how important overhearing and just the really small stuff like ‘oh wow I like your coat’ or whatever is for me. Going back to England is such a relief for me!!
Mmmm... I have some understanding of the feeling, but it happened to me in my own country. Many years ago, when I went to live in a remote desert community of Warlpiri Aboriginal people. Their first language is Warlpiri, and the English of the older adults was very limited. Warlpiri is really hard to learn! So different to European languages....
Stunning photo of the field, Susannah. I thought it was a painting at first glance. Wonderful composition, with the texture of the plants dominating the foreground.
OOO this poem is so good. Your skill with writing complex feelings into poetry is incredible.
Thank you!!! ❤️
Oh I know this feeling well and adore this poem. I lived in Sweden for a year and know no Swedish (or close to none - I tried to learn but I'm really bad with languages), then France then Puerto Rico, again with little joy in learning the language despite trying! The thing I found hardest and loneliest was not being able to understand anyone else's conversations. I didn't realise how important it was for me to overhear others, even if I wasn't engaging. When I moved back to England I conversely felt completely overwhelmed with people, even if I wasn't interacting! Anyway, here's to existential loneliness (the poet's curse?) and another fantastic poem 💚
I completely get that. I discovered how important overhearing and just the really small stuff like ‘oh wow I like your coat’ or whatever is for me. Going back to England is such a relief for me!!
Ah yes totally! The little comments that embroider the day are so missed when they're absent (and so easy to overlook otherwise!)
Mmmm... I have some understanding of the feeling, but it happened to me in my own country. Many years ago, when I went to live in a remote desert community of Warlpiri Aboriginal people. Their first language is Warlpiri, and the English of the older adults was very limited. Warlpiri is really hard to learn! So different to European languages....
Stunning photo of the field, Susannah. I thought it was a painting at first glance. Wonderful composition, with the texture of the plants dominating the foreground.