02.10.04 - 3:55 p.m.

i melt in front of people who don't speak my
language; i turn wide-mouthed, head bobbing
agreement with whatever they say. they apologize
and i insist that they go on, mindful of
people who hear an accent and shut off their ears
or scream their responses and usually i'm
rewarded tenfold what i give: today, a girl said
what do you - im sorry, what you think of...
of eighties fashion? and me, grinning: i
think it's nice! she smiled and winked, raised her
shoulders, palms up, like a shrug
the force behind her translation and said
yes! i think too!