How do you say “qu'est-ce que c'est”? by Christopher Khadem

How do you say “qu'est-ce que c'est”?

Hold on tight, as if to say it means anything else
other than third person singular. It does.
But not only this, to identify a person. Who is it?

You there, at the back, are you following this?

This is an tree, that is an horse.
Shhh! What was that? It was a horse running round the equuator.
We're talking about “it”, y'know “it”. You know it?

Do you have something you would like to share with the rest of us?

How do you say 'can I have an apple, please?' Can I have an apple please? Yes.

What are you hiding? A psychological imprint?
Is this an interrogation? Is that something about a king?
Or somewhere between between and ask?

Is this an inquisition? We're just trying to get to the bottom of this, sir.
Well then you've got no chance, I'm afraid, it's endless. And anyway, are you sure you're allowed to say inquisition any more? You know, being catholic.
What, like something of broad and liberal scope? Containing many things? Oh stop it, you fundamentalist etymologist. Concerning all of humankind? That's quite enough of that kind of talk.`

So what is it, this thing that it is? Meta- metro- para- - - - -
The huge question mark, hunched over, drunk, questions its existence.

Author bio:

Christopher Khadem is a student of literature, currently studying at Royal Holloway, University of London. His work has appeared (or is forthcoming) on both sides of the Atlantic in Breadcrumb Scabs (US), Dead Letter Office (UK), Catalonian Review (US) and Leaf Garden Press (US). He co-edits the creative blog and magazine Disingenuous Twaddle.