### Part I: The Seed (The Beginning)
I tried to learn English,  
head clear, night bright.  
Voice from the screen,  
taught me a word, “blocked.”  

### Part II: The First Unfolding (The Lesson)
I tried to learn English,  
head clear, night bright:  
“Blocked,” it said,  
when you’re stuck, no step in sight.  

It’s just a language lesson,  
grammar in a glass,  
with every beer,  
awkward moments pass.  

### Part III: The Second Unfolding (The Struggle)
The voice went on,  
about having a goal,  
to aim at something,  
a project for the soul.  

I wrote it down,  
tried to say something deep,  
then it said “Plastic,”  
and I just looked away.  

### Part IV: The Convergence (The Realization)
“This site aims to teach children,”  
it drones, relentless,  
I sit with my own,  
little plastic bones.  

“Unfortunately,” it whispers,  
“our budget is not enough,”  
and I can’t help but laugh,  
‘cause that’s the real stuff.  

### Part V: The Coda (The Resolution)
Yes, my English gets better,  
with a little bit of wine,  
thoughts get so clear,  
a perfect, straight, and simple line.  

“Blocked” is how I feel,  
when the budget is so low,  
“Plastic” is a feeling,  
where all the dreams can go.

Language Lesson by Lori Yamamoto

Better than a chicken jumping rope backwards!

Language Lesson by Lori Yamamoto

Egregious