Your English is So Good - By Jennah Fakhouri

Written By: Jennah Fakhouri

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Jennah Fakhouri presents her evocative poem "Your English is So Good," in the Poetry category for the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This poignant work delves into the complexities of language, identity, and cultural displacement, inviting readers to reflect on the profound influence of colonization and the struggle for cultural reparations.

About the Work

In "Your English is So Good," Jennah Fakhouri explores the intricacies of language and identity through powerful imagery and a reflective tone. The poem navigates the personal and collective experiences of cultural displacement, examining themes of colonization, exploitation, and the quest for cultural authenticity. Through vivid metaphors and a candid voice, Fakhouri captures the tension between the inherited and the imposed, inviting readers to ponder the weight of language on identity.

Your English is So Good

Original Submission by Jennah Fakhouri

Your English is So Good

by Jennah Fakhouri

what language do you dream in?

i should say Arabic yet i find myself

twirling tongues to the sounds of

another

a mistress that has no business

sneaking into my slumber

colonized, colonizer

i take words and turn them into pictures

spit out injustices one after another

countries is queues, ordered by

level of exploitation

Seeking cultural reparations

as penance for this new generation

that was robbed of the richness

of the languages of their mother nations

i spit out english like one might a broken tooth

bloody and bitter

run my tongue over the new hole

told i still have a mouth full

here, choke on oil

we discovered for you

just to bomb you for access

we are good at finding things

in all the places we visit

export democracy

liberalism

human rights

seek penance in your new tongue

practice your accent carefully

1 2 3

do rae mi

there, less foreign already

more palatable

we can hear you better when you enunciate

exactly like that

your English is so good

i laugh in displacement

think of all the accents not

worthy of saving

of all the missiles funded

by diamonds exports from a land without diamonds

the gold exports where there are no gold mines

democracy

liberalism

human rights

where are the rights the corpses have to be given their names back

this poem ought to be in Arabic

i bury the thought in Gaza

use my english, accent perfect

stand up straight, palatable arab

tell the stories of my people

in crisp neat letters

Spell out genocide in case the dictionaries

forgot how to spell it

told the news agencies to send their reporters

smile in English

remember the line of countries waiting their turn now

your english is so good

gritted teeth

exhale

but not good

enough.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, invites writers from around the world to share their unique voices and stories. This esteemed platform celebrates diverse literary expressions, offering participants an opportunity to engage with global themes and showcase their creative talents.

We extend our gratitude to Jennah Fakhouri for her powerful poem, "Your English is So Good," submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to challenge, illuminate, and inspire.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.