If I say unto you “True,”

You must understand in my Cherokee way

That I am agreeing with only part of what you say,

For “True,” only literally means “half-truth,”

But if I say, “True-True,”

Only then do I believe you.

And if I say to you, “You Lie!”

It is really just a question.

I am asking you to tell me again, 

So I can see

If you can repeat the story to me

Without forgetting what you said the first time,

So that then I may discern

If what you say may be Truth,

Or true Truth-Truth.

Language is a funny thing,

And very complicated,

Especially when our backgrounds

Have such interesting idioms. 

I prefer rather than to speak,

To say hello with a smile and a shrug,

And see which one gets returned to me,

Or maybe I will get a hug

If I’m lucky enough.

-jenn