I ran outside to greet the children in the community

In turn the children mock me, my mispronunciations their weird delight

Banging on my doors and windows, shrilly mimicking those few phrases I have in my head.

I still go out, but I don’t speak much now, why would I?

I rush out as soon as the rains stop, though there’s not much to see.

Muddy slippery roads weaving through small landholdings all the way to the top of mountains.

Plantains, cabbages, coffee trees as far as one can imagine.

I dream of a time I can escape the constant rain

A place where I can be proudly alone.