Idioma/Language

I think of words,

phrases, sentences,

Spanish/English

English/Spanish.

Mis idiomas/my languages,

my being/mi ser.

Language,

more than words,

phrases, or sentences,

is at the very core

of my existence.

Without language,

be it oral or written,

my life would be

like a dam,

repressed

with thoughts,

emotions, wishes,

& dreams

unable to flow freely,

a prisoner

of my own self,

waiting to explode.

Language/Idioma,

more than words,

phrases, or sentences,

are my two worlds,

at times integrated,

separate when needed,

yet both infusing my life

with thoughts &  emotions.

I dream in English

of a perfect world.

I make love in español,

mi amor, querido amor.

I write in English,

words pour forth onto paper.

I cook in español...

ajo, cilantro, orégano,

herbs that have flavored

our foods for generations.

Language defines me,

language frees me,

language strengthens me.

Mis idiomas/my languages,

two languages,

two cultures,

one person.

                                                                                    © Mildred Santiago