downloading her first iTunes under her daughter’s supervision
daughter’s 20 dollar gift card weighing heavily on her
what do you want mom what do you want to download
Mrs. Sharma can only have one intelligent response
she says Oh Canada the Vancouver 2010 version
costs 99 cents so very affordable
Mrs. Sharma wants to memorize Canadian anthem
drive it deep deep down drive away doubts
driving downtown to dreary job
she listens to the Indian anthem
Jana Gana Mana adhinayaka jaya he …
singing it in Sanskrit original tune and Bollywood adaptation
7 different versions
listens repeatedly listens
brings schooldays back for Mrs. Sharma
lining up at 6 am outside school building facing black nuns
light blue blouse dark blue skirt red tie black shoes
biting nails to keep them clean
reciting Our father who art in heaven
followed by national anthem
No line ups now no recitations either
Mrs. Sharma yells damn it
Neha Sonpar is an Edmonton poet and short story writer. Her writings explore the dilemmas and frustrations of Asian immigrants as they integrate into the Albertan mainstream culture. She is a member of the Canadian Authors Association and is part of the Strathcona Writing Circle.
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