Fanene-Bentley, Michael

My sounds I do not hear

1. A Palagi, for an interview, to my village came.
2. Looking for sound.
3. Thinking: no I did not catch his name.
4. Do you hear the pounding of the surf upon your reef?
5. No I say,
6. Thinking: this sound must cause him much grief.
7. Do you hear the insects and birds in your bush?
8. No I say,
9. Thinking: maybe now I should give him the push.
10. Do you hear the roosters crowing by your fale in the morning?
11. No I say,
12. Thinking: now this is really getting boring.
13. Do you hear the wind blowing through your coconut trees?
14. No I say,
15. Thinking: nice shorts, glad I don’t have those knobbly knees.
16. Do you hear the pigs rooting in that taro patch you planted?
17. No I say,
18. Thinking: I must have a problem, taking my sound for granted.
19. Do you not hear these sounds, or are you deaf, like that tree?
20. No I say,
21. Thinking: I hear them now, because he just told me.
22. Do you not hear any sounds when you are lying awake?
23. No I say,
24. Thinking: yes I must, but come on, give me a break.
25. Do you know I interview you, not to cause you any strife?
26. No I say,
27. Thinking: hang on, these are my sounds, I’ve heard them all my life.
28. Do you not hear these sounds because you’re tired and need a break?
29. No I say,
30. Thinking: all my sounds must keep this Palagi awake.
31. Do you not listen to the sounds of your island, they are full of glory?
32. Yes I say,
33. Do you smell that smell?
34. No he say,
35. Thinking: I should tell him, well then, that’s another story!