Women Talk (Bilingual)

comparison, identity 1 Minute 
Women Talk
    
They talk in the street and on the stairs, holding a tin of beans or can of soup.
It's not just women, the girls too speak up, wrangling and arguing 
Most of them tell you they believe nobody is listening to them

The men stay around staring in the distance with glazed eyes
Steadily showing their indifference by not catching a word                      
Women are used to talk loud and yet not to be heard                            
However they do grasp each other’s meanings     

Late at night they recall a phrase, a joke                 
They’ll giggle at a funny thought 
Smiling themselves to sleep.

                 

Le Parler des femmes

Elles parlent dans la rue et dans les escaliers, avec une boîte de haricots 
ou de soupe à la main
Ce ne sont pas seulement les femmes, les filles aussi s’expriment, 
se disputent et discutent 
Beaucoup vous dirons que d’après elles, personne ne les écoute

Les hommes maintiennent simplement des regards vitreux 
Et souvent montre leur incompréhension des paroles                   
Les femmes parlent fort mais sans être entendues
Pourtant elles se comprennent bien entre elles

Car dans la nuit elles rient d’un mot   
Et s’endorment en souriant

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Published by Yayi-Australie

I am a French-born Australian linguist who loves writing about multicultural experiences. Taught English in Zambia and Papua New Guinea, gained a Doctorate with UPNG. In Western Australia I worked with migrants and Indigenous communities in Kalgoorlie and Roebourne. In charge of Amnesty International WA, then moved to Adelaide. Short-listed by The Human Rights Commission for the Literature NF Award for the anthology I edited with the Multicultural Writers Association of Australia, I later published my memoir. Volunteered with the Writers Centre, became active with PEN.

Published