I see your lips moving
can feel the vibrations from your throat.
I hear the sounds you’re producing
and recognize the language
the syntax
the words and idioms
that you are producing in our native tongue.

I get all the component pieces of what you’re trying to tell me but
I cannot understand you.

What you do with English is
like irrational math
or some speaking in tongues thing.
You somehow do something imaginary with words
and leave me completely stumped.
I’m lost in a trail of images you’ve dropped
and I just can’t follow.

It’s not that I’m deaf
or dumb
or unused to communing with the strange.
I am conversant with alternatives
but you
have got me beat.
I don’t get it.
What are you talking about?