Short Translators Poems

Composers compose
     Translators transpose
   Opponents oppose
     R.I.P. in repose...

   Lovers propose
     Doubters suppose
   Bikinis expose
     Writers juxtapose...

   So many words end in 'pose'
     I'd continue ~ but I'm indisposed...

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Shatner's Star Trek: a true break-out show
Well, except for the red shirts, you know?
With their food replicators,
Universal translators,
To infinitives, they'd boldly go.

—————

for the On A Lim Poetry Contest
sponsored by Joseph May
on the original Star Trek series
written on 03/31/2022
HowManySyllables.com: 9/9/7/7/9
...

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Dinner Time

The scaly, green creature emerged
To a beach where swimmers converged

How quickly the crowd stepped aside
As the fourteen-foot reptile hit stride

From the Gulf to a nearby pond
He stepped in and poof, he was gone

Only then did we see the sign
Half hidden by a creeping vine

What’s this?  Do we need translators?
“Please don’t feed the alligators”


October 20, 2016...

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I don't know racism
but I do know

that woman
screaming 
in my face

well, I didn't stand for that
even if I had to grab 
the neighbor's kid
to translate for me

that woman
looking down
on my Chinese face
I had Julia write 
a Formal Complaint
the principal agreed
and did nothing

a weak woman
just imagine if I knew english

the hardest thing
was letting them walk on us
timid and quiet Chinese

hah!

no Chinese in government
no social services
no translators
I came too early...

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