Mother language

Underneath the water I could hear a voice.

It was saying something—

Something that was not in English—

It was my mother language.

I was at peace in the waters.

Yet it spoke again and again and

I began to panic because I was supposed to understand

But I didn’t.

I couldn’t hear what it was saying in the waters.

I started to paddle towards the surface.

I’ve been swimming since I was a child yet

I did not move an inch upwards.

It was like I was being dragged down by the lake,

The sound of paddling drowned out the voice,

So I stopped and there it was again.

Voice that carried words I should know.

And it seemed to be getting closer.

I heard vowels and then

Words and then

Phrases and

I heard it.

I heard the voice and it was in my mother language

As a hand reached down from the surface into the waters

I heard it,

I love you.

I touched its fingertips,

I love you.

I held its hand,

I love you.

I let go,

I…

And it turned back into words and into vowels until

I was once again surrounded by the silent waters.