I, the hearing impaired

a poem

Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

I, the hearing impaired Shut out of your sing song world The cone of silence drops deep overhead Banished to the box of no noise none Your language lost, sounds like oatmeal static “What’s that was said?” I cannot hear, Can not understand My hollow ears ring silent with frustration, Physician, be my advocate.

I, the congenitally deaf child Shut out of the sing song world of parental love and warm soothings said Begins at birth, 1/5 behind. My contemporaries overwhelmed by sounds I live alone in the barren land, each day another one behind. Physician, be my advocate.

I, the hard of hearing child. confused by labels ignorant.

• hears what he wants to
• unmotivated
• daydreamer
• problem child

What words I hear, cut to the bone. Physician, be my advocate.

I, the downhill elderly Unknowingly mourn my high frequency, tolls taken by the years. With knowing nods the young ones ask Questions, questioning my mind. I have them too! Words lost while sound remains? Physics unknown. Explain my fears away. Physician, be my advocate.

I, the hearing impaired Shut out of your sing song world. Know the nightmare MD, misdiagnostician The too quick parental soother, maternal concerns ignored. Then nods knowingly with hair trigger children. Too quick to strip my identity and label me.

• senile…
• emotionally disturbed…
• developmentally delayed …

Sentences me to stagnation, a spry mind Still withers in the vacuum of space where no sound conducts Scream NO, the language of the heart refutes the silence. I am like you, but hearing impaired. Physician, save me from thyself. Physician, be my advocate