on my mind FB? hmm - think this is relevant to us all - speaking or signing - we all find a piece of ourselves in this: What is it like to hear a hand? You have to be deaf to understand. What is it like to be a small child, In a school, in a room void of sound -- With a teacher who talks and talks and talks; And then when she does come around to you, She expects you to know what shes said? You have to be deaf to understand. Or the teacher thinks that to make you smart, You must first learn how to talk with your voice; So mumbo-jumbo with hands on your face For hours and hours without patience or end, Until out comes a faint resembling sound? You have to be deaf to understand. What is it like to be curious, To thirst for knowledge you can call your own, With an inner desire thats set on fire -- And you ask a brother, sister, or friend Who looks in answer and says, Never Mind? You have to be deaf to understand. What it is like in a corner to stand, Though theres nothing youve done really wrong, Other than try to make use of your hands To a silent peer to communicate A thought that comes to your mind all at once? You have to be deaf to understand. What is it like to be shouted at When one thinks that will help you to hear; Or misunderstand the words of a friend Who is trying to make a joke clear, And you dont get the point because hes failed? You have to be deaf to understand. What is it like to be laughed in the face When you try to repeat what is said; Just to make sure that youve understood, And you find that the words were misread -- And you want to cry out, Please help me, friend? You have to be deaf to understand. What is it like to have to depend Upon one who can hear to phone a friend; Or place a call to a business firm And be forced to share whats personal, and, Then find that your message wasnt made clear? You have to be deaf to understand. What is it like to be deaf and alone In the company of those who can hear -- And you only guess as you go along, For no ones there with a helping hand, As you try to keep up with words and song? You have to be deaf to understand. What is it like on the road of life To meet with a stranger who opens his mouth -- And speaks out a line at a rapid pace; And you cant understand the look in his face Because it is new and youre lost in the race? You have to be deaf to understand. What is it like to comprehend Some nimble fingers that paint the scene, And make you smile and feel serene, With the spoken word of the moving hand That makes you part of the word at large? You have to be deaf to understand. What is it like to hear a hand? Yes, you have to be deaf to understand. (Written at 1971 by Willard J. Madsen, professor of journalism at Gallaudet University. This poem was translated into seven different languages and reprinted in publications, including DEAF HERITAGE, p. 380.)
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 18:55:33 +0000
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