I could have kept quiet
that’s how things are expected
of me…
I could have been silent
that’s how things are expected
to be…
But the silence is more deafening
than my deafness
And the difference continues
to mute my sadness
And so, suddenly, I want to be
And I realize I am still me
Despite the deafening silence
In spite of the muted indifference
and I pause and gesture
and I pause and sign
and I poised to speak…
And in that little gesture
you gave
In that attempt to sign I see
in you
My being finds hope to speak
and I become me
so that you can be you…
my love.