“Polyglot” by Laurie Kuntz

Polyglot

Under your tongue, slides
five new languages,
while I still perfect
the words of this poem.

I am fluent in the latest gossip
the fair-weather neighbor relished me with,
I can speak all the promised words 
from the plot of a silly rom com.

I easily order a French pastry,
pronounce Affogato perfectly,
and I am fluent in conflict.

There are times I want to confide
my darkness in our shared language,
the one we perfected from the beginning,
with those gentle, generous phrases,

but you are learning Thai, or is it Farsi,
or a new conjugation in Portuguese,
so many that my words
get lost in translation.

Laurie Kuntz

Laurie Kuntz’s books are That Infinite Roar (Gyroscope Press), Talking Me Off The Roof (Kelsay Books), The Moon Over My Mother’s House (Finishing Line Press),  Simple Gestures (Texas Review Press), Women at the Onsen (Blue Light Press), and Somewhere in the Telling, (Mellen Press). Simple Gestures won Texas Review’s Chapbook Contest and Women at the Onsen won the Blue Light Press Chapbook Contest. She’s been nominated for four Pushcart Prizes and two Best of the Net Prizes. In 2024, she won a Pushcart Prize. Her work has been published in Gyroscope Review, Roanoke Review, Third Wednesday, One Art, Sheila Na Gig and other journals. Happily retired, she lives in an endless summer state of mind. More at: https://lauriekuntz.myportfolio.com/home-1.

Headshot: Laura Angel

Photo Credit: Staff