Alalia syllabaris

December 15, 2010

won 2nd place in 2011 Sokol High School Literary Awards

Alalia syllabaris

I am

thick-lipped,

tongue-tied,

the words in my mouth

glass marbles that I

cannot spit out. 

If only these ideas

could articulate themselves,

clipped and clean and clear

like harpsichord staccato,

clockwork clicking,

or horses’ hooves

on cobblestone.

My language

would be as precise

as the lunar curves

of an eclipse,

lovelier than ice sculptures

carved and shaped

into masterpieces.

But my phrases slur,

like rain stammering, stammering

on roofs, streets, oceans,

making meaningless messes

of my simple thoughts.

Try as I might to master

the slick, quick turnarounds,

the sharp resolve of each word,

my sentences inevitably become

myopic, impressionist,

finger-painted interpretations

of the sentiments

I cannot communicate.