In this poem, the author Richard Rodriquez explains how hard it was for the people that didn’t speak English. He believed that they don’t have the same priority as the ones that do speak the language. Rodriguez became more confident of himself in speaking English, and he finally heard words, not just sounds. Richard insists in the difference between sound and words (which in the past sounds were helping him in understanding the situation). When he finally spoke the language, he came to realize that sound and word together were very helpful. He has also contrasting feelings; he was often always relieved to realize how silent his day in public had been. Richard means that, since he was feeling more comfortable with English, the words were more