Language Barriers
We hired a fella from far-off Peru,
Asked for a hoe–he brought me a shoe.
Told a French gal to “watch the bull,”
She danced instead–graceful, yet dull.
Asked a German to “muck the pen,”
He read Nietzsche to the pigs again.
A tourist asked, “Where’s the loo?”
I pointed to the pond–seemed natural to do.
Tried explainin’ “fixin’ to” to a Swede,
He thought I meant surgery on a weed.
Told a Brit “y’all” means polite,
He thought we were summoning demons at night.
Asked a Texan in Boston for “tea,”
He served me bourbon and called it “free.”
Even Pa gets lost in his native tongue,
Especially after moonshine or when songs are sung.
So if you visit and talk gets strange,
Just smile, nod, and let it change.
Alan Nafzger (editor@bohiney.com)