Deaf Poem

Deaf

What is it like to be deaf?

People have asked me.
Deaf? Oh, hmm, how do I explain that?
Simply, I can't hear.
Nooo, it is much more than that.
t is similar to a goldfish in a bowl.
Always observing things going on.
People talking all the time.

It is beign a man on his own island

Among foreigners.

Isolation is not a stranger to me.

Relatives say 'hi" and "bye".

But I sit for five hours among them.
Taking great pleasure at amusing babies.

Reading books, resting , helping out with food.

Natural curiosity perks up

Upon seeing great laughter, crying people

Upset.

Inquire only to meet with "never mind",

"Oh, it is not important".

Getting such a summarized statement of a

Whole story.

Supposed to smile to show happiness.

Little do they know how truly miserable I am.

People are in control of language usage,

I am at loss and real uncomfortable.

Always feeling like an outsider

Among the hearing people

Even if it was not their intention.

Always assume that I am part of them
By my physical presence, not understanding

The importance of communication.

Facing the choice between the Deaf camping

Week end and family reunion.

Facing the choice constantly between family commitment

And deaf friends,

I must make the choice constantly ,

And wonder why I choose Deaf friends????

I get such great pleasure at Deaf clubs,

Before I realize , it is already 2 am

Whereas I am anxiously looking at the clock

Every few mins. at the family reunion.

With deaf people , I am so normal,
Our communication flows back & forth,

Catching up with little trivials, our daily life,

Our frustration in the bigger world,

Seeking the mutual understanding .
Contented smiles, and laughing are musical.

So magical to me

So attuned to each other's feeling.

Truly happiness is so important.

I feel more at home with Deaf people

Of various colors, religions, short or tall,

Than I do among with my own hearing relatives.

And wonder why?

Our language is common.

We understand each other.

Being at a loss of control

Of environment, that is, communication,

People panic and retreat to advoidance,

Deaf people are like the plague.

But deaf people are still human beings

With dream, desires and needs

Of belonging, just like everyone else.

Written By Dianne Kinnee