You, Laughing by Melissa Lam

December 29, 2023
Poem title: You, Laughing Poet name: Melissa Lam Poem: I am tasked with bringing you to the doctor am desperately trying to translate what he’s saying into Cantonese for you. Point at my stomach contort my face try a myriad of words. The doctor too gives it a go but his Canto is no better than mine and you laugh. Look you could have gotten mad frustrated that you could not understand your body that I was not a more proficient accompaniment more well-versed in the language of my people. If it were me I would have let out an exasperated sigh but you laugh. After all what else is there to do? After the appointment we clamber back into the car. Congee Queen for lunch, noodles and some choy. I am sorry I could not do more, but you pay, tell me to take the leftovers. On the drive back you remind me to turn at the yellow dolls, your name for the pedestrian crosswalk - two cartoon figures holding hands paused mid-motion End of poem. Credits and bio: Copyright © Melissa Lam Previously published in Emerge 23: The Writer’s Studio Anthology, 2023. Melissa Lam is a second-generation Canadian. Born in Toronto, she now lives on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver, where she writes, teaches, and gardens with her husband and son.