linguistic studies from the laptop screen

there’s something precious in your aspirated “a,”

rounder and softer and freer than the way i want

to pronounce it, “and” becoming “ay-end” despite my best

efforts. sharp and nasal (there they are again) like most my

vowels become in english. the air you

breathe must be so warm and whole, must taste like sun

light, golden, shining bright through your teeth

which flash every time you snap out a “t,”

shorter and cleaner and crisper than the way i want

to pronounce it, “later” becoming “lader” despite my best

efforts. dull and unwhetted (there it is again) like most my

consonants become in english. the rain you

behold must be so fresh, must love like you

do when there are things you wish to grow.