Language Lesson by Lori Yamamoto

### Part I: The Seed (The Beginning) I tried to learn English,   head clear, night bright.   Voice from the screen,   taught me a word, “blocked.”   ### Part II: The First Unfolding (The Lesson) I tried to learn English,   head clear, night bright:   “Blocked,” it said,   when you’re stuck, no step in sight.   It’s just a language lesson,   grammar in a glass,   with every beer,   awkward moments pass.   ### Part III: The Second Unfolding (The Struggle) The voice went on,   about having a goal,   to aim at something,   a project for the soul.   I wrote it down,   tried to say something deep,   then it said “Plastic,”   and I just looked away.   ### Part IV: The Convergence (The Realization) “This site aims to teach children,”   it drones, relentless,   I sit with my own,   little plastic bones.   “Unfortunately,” it whispers,   “our budget is not enough,”   and I can’t help but laugh,   ‘cause that’s the real stuff.   ### Part V: The Coda (The Resolution) Yes, my English gets better,   with a little bit of wine,   thoughts get so clear,   a perfect, straight, and simple line.   “Blocked” is how I feel,   when the budget is so low,   “Plastic” is a feeling,   where all the dreams can go.