BEING DEAF

BEING DEAF

To be deaf
Means more than not to hear,
It means being locked out,
Shut up,
Confined
In a room designed for one
And no bigger.

To be deaf
Means watching lips,
Being an expert on mouths
That shout,
Or slur,
So that it is impossible to hear
What anyone is saying.

To be deaf
Means walking in silence,
Hearing music
In speechless eyes.
Or listening
To silent operas
Playing out on people’s faces.

©2025 Gwen Grant