For this week’s 7 Word Challenge I am in an imperative (and poetic) mood. And today I learn, through closer inspection of the relevant chapter in my big old Spanish Verb Tenses book, that that is exactly what the imperative is: a mood, not a tense. Who knew?
Anyway, to say that I am in an an imperative mood ‘this week’ is to understate it. As a mother of a tyrannical two year old, I am working with the imperative from dawn ’til dusk every day of the week. You know what I mean: Stop that! Eat up! Sit down! Stand up! Don’t touch! Put it here! No, not there! Don’t cry! Don’t bite! Say sorry! Don’t fight! Up to bed! Clean your teeth! Shut your eyes! Go to sleep!
Bibs and young friend discussing some finer grammatical points over an al fresco fishfinger dinner
It seems very important to me to get to grips with some of these basic commands in Spanish. They need to roll off the tongue, don’t you think? I want Bibsey to recognise some of this when she starts colegío next year, so I need to put in some practice on both our behalves right now. To that end I have written my first poem in Spanish with the imperatives in bold. Suspect Lorca will be turning in his grave. If he reads this blog that is. Not sure what the internet connection is like on the ‘other side’. Bound to be unlimited Broadband WiFi for all eternity, right? One can only hope…
Anyway, you will notice that the ‘poem’ contains more than the 7 Words required for the weekly challenge. Can we just say no pasa nada to that and promise to get back on the 7 Word Bandwagon next week? Thanks.
In fact, what I’ll do is give you 7 verses (loose terminology). Howzat?
Oh, and perdóname por los errores. Vamos a llamarlo el uso liberal de licencia poética…
Déjalo Mi Niña
Un poema imperativo por Bibsey Mama
Bueno dia niña,
Despierta mi amor.
Vamos a empezar el día
De nuevo por favor.
Come, come chica,
El desyuno ahora mismo.
¡Dios mio Bibsey!
¡No lo tires en el suelo!
!Para! !Para Pequeña!
!No cruces el camino!
Espérame mi querida
Y cógeme la mano.
Sé amable guapa.
No muerdas a tu amiga.
Dale el juguete.
Y dile “¿me disculpas?”.
¡Haz lo! !No lo hagas!
Pon lo aquí. ¡No, allí!
Déjalo y no lo toques,
Y siéntate aquí.
¡Vete chiquitita!
¡Déjame en paz!
Mírame. Escúchame.
Y dímelo ¿que pas?
Cierra los ojos niña.
Acuéstate mi amor.
Duérmete chicita
Duerme por favor.
For anyone who is interested, I have provided a loose translation* below just to pre-empt any visits to Gschmoogle Translate (which I already did and found it quite funny actually).
And now it’s your turn. I’d love you to join in if you fancy. Here’s more info. I would welcome all comments and corrections, suggestions and additions. I have a strong suspicion that the above poem is nonsense. But it doesn’t matter, as long as I learn something. That’s the only imperative (ha ha).
What must-have imperatives can you add to the list? What have I missed? All languages welcome.
~~~
*Put That Down Baby
An imperative poem by Bibsey Mama
Good morning baby girl.
Wake up my love.
Let’s start the new day
Together my dove
Eat up, eat up chickie
Your breakfast I implore!
Oh my god Bibsey!
Don’t throw it on the floor.
Stop! Stop little one!
Don’t cross the road.
Wait for me
And hold my hand.
Be nice, gorgeous girl.
Don’t bite your friend.
Give her back her toy,
And tell her you are sorry.
Do it! No, don’t do it!
Put it here. No, there.
Leave that! Don’t touch it!
Just come and sit down here.
Go away chickie chick.
Leave me in peace.
Look at me! Listen to me!
And tell Mummy what’s wrong.
Close your eyes baby girl.
Go to bed my love.
Go to sleep my chick.
I implore you sleep my dove.
