Langue du Levant: On Arabic

Yours was the obscure tongue of my youth.
Paternally familiar,
Though narrowly so.
And like my father's mother,
I've never truly known you.
Was it despite you?

How easily am I filled with sentimentality,
When the air slowly brings to my senses
Your gnarled but beautiful melody.

And though I am 10,000 miles from my youth,
I am in an all too familiar place.
A strange woman,
singing your song.
Her delivery, exquisite.
Mannerisms, present.
She made sure the balding man was there,
To listen to you.
Perfect form.

Grandmothers house.
Teta. Jeddo.
I can say and believe I am proud of you.
But I am defeated,