deafness.

The word deaf is really hard to define. Its not just "oh she/he is mute". It is much more than that, and I really think this poem is the addtional definition to "she/he is mute". I relate so much to this poem, maybe to you out there as well. Here's the poem...


"Deaf"
By: Dianne Switras

"What is it like to be Deaf?
People have asked me.
Deaf? Oh hmmm, how do I explain that?
Simply, I can't hear.

Noooooo, it is much more than that.
It is similar to a goldfish in a bowl.
Always observing things going on.
People talking all the time.
It is being 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 and taking pictures.

Natural curiousity perks up
Upon seeing great laughter, crying, people upset.
Inquire only to meet with "nevermind",
"Oh it's not important".
Getting such a summarized statement
of a whole story.

Supposed to smile to show the 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
Weekend and Family Reunion.
Facing the choice between the family commitment
and Deaf friends,
I must make the choice constantly,
And wonder why I chose Deaf friends??

I get such great pleasure at Deaf Clubs,
Before I realize, it is already 2 am
Whereas I anxiously look at the clock
Every few minutes at the family reunion.

With Deaf people, I am so normal,
Our communication flows back and forth,
Catching up with little trivials, our daily life,
Our frustration in the bigger world,
Seeking the mutual understanding.

Contended 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 I 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 avoidance,
Deaf people are like the plague.

But Deaf people are still human beings
With dreams, desires and needs
Of belonging, just like everyone else."