Ghazal
Go back, go home, go away with your language
In my land, only order takeaway with your language
ਤੂੰ ਇਤਨਾ ਛੱਪਰ ਛੱਪਰ ਦੱਸੇ ਤੋ ਸਮਝ ਕਿੱਥੋ ਆਵੇ
ਸ਼ਰਮਾ ਆਂਟੀ ਆਈ ਹੈ, ਬੱਚਾ give a display with your language
वो होगी तुम्हारी पितृभाषा, पर ये तुम्हारी मातृभाषा है
At least in this home, spend your समय with your language
Think in English, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਇੱਚ ਸਮਝ, हिन्दी में सही, पर चुन लो
Who exactly you want to betray with your language
I don’t care what you’re saying, it grates my ears
Don’t you think it’s time to do away with your language?
ऐसी बातें सुनने के लिए तुम्हें English स्कूल भेजा था?
इतना समझ लो, we will never be okay with your language
You are surprisingly smart, but don’t sound like it
It won’t help if you write this essay with your language
बस तेरे वलैद जाने का इंतज़ार है, तो मैं passport बनवाऊँ
Once you’re settled, I’ll come over the summer to stay with your language
ਐਸਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀ ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਮਾਰੀ ਸੀ, ਅੱਸੀ ਤੋ ਸਿਰਫ ਇਹ ਬੋਲਿਆ
ਕੀ ਤੁੱਸੀ can’t express dismay with your language
Speak in English now; you’re in the land of the free
What I want, I will come eat, love, and pray with your language
Saoirse is a PhD student in the English department at Brown University. They are deeply interested in the social functions of English as a language, particularly in (post)colonial contexts. They study contemporary poetry and translation. They find comfort in a cup of coffee, excitement in travel, and joy in their dog, Malaika.
