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This site exists for one purpose only: to help dispel the ugly and absolutely untrue myth that poetry is boring. Granted, a lot of poetry is boring, but you won't find it here. At Your Daily Poem, you'll find poetry that is touching, funny, provocative, inspiring, uplifting, and surprising. It may punch you in the gut, it may bring tears to your eyes, it may make you laugh out loud, but it most assuredly will not bore you!

Poetry on YDP—by poets living and long dead, famous to completely unknown--is specially selected for accessibility and appeal. Thanks so much for visiting—and remember: a poem a day keeps the doldrums away!


 



Lingual Diversity
by
Carl Palmer

We share the bench at a neighborhood park
by the courthouse, watch children play.
 
He says something, maybe in Spanish,
points to a running, laughing boy,
probably his son, about the same age
as my daughter, also running and laughing.

I nod and smile.
 
I point toward my little girl,
say the same thing in English
he most likely said in his language.

He nods and smiles.
 
Like our children’s laughter
we require no translation.



From Old Mill Road.
Used here with permission.


 

Carl “Papa” Palmer lives in University Place, Washington now, but grew up on Old Mill Road (the name of his latest book) in Ridgeway, Virginia. Retired from the military and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), he enjoys being a Franciscan Hospice volunteer and being “Papa” to his grand descendants. Carl is the author of nine chapbooks and his work has been published in more than 200 journals around the world. His motto is "Long Weekends Forever!"

 

 



Post New Comment:
Arlene Gay Levine:
A heart-opener for sure! Thanks, Carl.
Posted 05/06/2024 03:38 PM
KevinArnold:
Fun.
Posted 05/06/2024 02:39 PM
Lori Levy:
So true.
Posted 05/06/2024 01:19 PM
Alarie Tennille:
Thank you, Carl, for starting my day in such a touching way. Your photo is so familiar that I bet you've brightened other days, too.
Posted 05/06/2024 12:43 PM
CamilleBalla:
I love this sweet and true example of how we are all connected not only as children but as adults. Thank you. I will share this, Carl.
Posted 05/06/2024 11:49 AM
Wilda Morris:
Truth well expressed!
Posted 05/06/2024 10:43 AM
Denise:
The ability of human connections based on sharing our sameness is quite moving when put into words.
Posted 05/06/2024 10:43 AM
cork:
Bravo!
Posted 05/06/2024 10:31 AM
IngridBruck:
What a lovely poem! I'm touched how human connection crosses barriers and borders
Posted 05/06/2024 08:42 AM
mail@schoolbusmart.com:
I think we've all been there. Requires no translation. Randy Mazie
Posted 05/06/2024 05:05 AM
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