by: LaRonda Zupp
Inspired by, and based on John Denver’s Lyrics to
“I Want To Live”
There are deaf children raised in sorrow
who grow up to feel the pain
they are children not allowed to see the signs
They are children of AVT
who are blanketed by AGB
and they cry throughout the universe,
broken hearts linked as one
I want to live, I want to grow
I want to see, I want to know
I want to share what I can give
I want to see, I want to live
Have you gazed within their eyes
felt the dream within their hearts?
Have you watched them try to talk among their own?
Have you seen them tell their stories
upon their tiny hands
Telling tales of future loveliness,
dreams of finally coming home
I want to live, I want to grow
I want to see, I want to know
I want to share what I can give
I want to see, I want to live
For the teacher and the student,
the lover and supporter
For the native deaf and those who come to sign
For the steward and the user
and the mother and her child
let us pass along their language
Let the children see and sign!
I want to live, I want to grow
I want to see, I want to know
I want to share what I can give
I want to see, I want to live
We are standing all together
face to face and arm in arm
We are standing on the threshold of a dream
No more hiding, no more binding
no more wasting life a way
It is simply who we are
and it’s our right to see and sign
I want to live, I want to grow
I want to see, I want to know
I want to share what I can give
I want to see, I want to live
Very inspiring, LaRonda. It is horrible for a child to be blessed with a brilliant mind but imprisoned by deafness. Only signs will make it better! I have met too many lost and lonely oralists.
Thanks once again.
Lantana
Lantana’s Latitude
Left by Lantana on September 19th, 2007
I love this so much! It’s beautiful!!!
Left by Kim on September 19th, 2007
That is a powerful poem.
Deaf children need to see voices inside their hands anything after that is unlimited.
Stephen Hardy
Left by Stephen Hardy on September 20th, 2007
AWESOME!! Like Lantana says - INSPIRING!!
Left by B.A.D. on September 20th, 2007
Am almost signless! This is really, really fantastic. You outdid yourself once again. What a beautiful and heartbreaking piece of work. Art is supposed to push buttons, and your poem just did this for me.
Am gonna forward the link to DBC and everybody I know!!!
And the best part is- this poem keeps the focus on the Deaf child, and the injustices s/he suffers. That’s the Big Picture.
Language, life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness for ALL Deaf babies.
DE
Left by DE on September 20th, 2007
It melted my heart that it’s a very true, inspiring poem you created.
Will that be okay if I printed it out, so I can share it with people on Sept. 29th?
Left by Lisa Marie on September 20th, 2007
Nice one.
Left by A Deaf Pundit on September 20th, 2007
Lisa Marie,
You and others are welcome to share my poem on Sept. 29th. Just mention I wrote it and my ego will be happy. (wink)
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on September 20th, 2007
That was awesome!
We should put your poem in DBC’s website!
John
Left by John F. Egbert on September 20th, 2007
Just a side note: If you click on the links (the purple words and sentences), it will take you to certain pages with more information. Pages like the Deaf Bilingual Coalition, Amy’s “The Greatest Irony,” the AGB Associaiton and the AVT website. I was really struck by the 10 rules of AVT on their website. Sad.
Thanks everyone for your comments.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on September 20th, 2007
So beautiful!
Left by deafKathy on September 20th, 2007
Poem so powerfully expressed! Thank you so much for making your contribution.
As for the picture of this little girl you attached, I believe you did a search of it from internet. Here’s one idea, find a picture of a deaf child (ANY regardless their background) that is fitting of this poem or open up a contest for someone to send in a picture of a deaf child. What do you think?
Left by Katherine on September 20th, 2007
I got goosebumps reading that!!! I, too, am an oral deaf and lost my hearing by the time I was 22. It didn’t stop me from enjoying life! I have 4 beautiful children and a loving husband. 2 of my children are like me and became deaf at an older age. SIgn language is beautiful whether you’re hearing or deaf. It’s a fun language! Don’t you agree?
Left by Diana on September 20th, 2007
Hi Katherine.
Your idea is a nice one. Thanks for the suggestion. But I am partial to the eyes of this child in the photo above. How do we know she isn’t deaf already? Her eye shows her spirit and desire to “see” and “know.” I’m going to keep this photo, but thank you for your input.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on September 20th, 2007
John,
You are most welcome to create a link to this poem on the DBC website. I would be honored.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on September 20th, 2007
LaRonda,
As like the other commenters, this is a very inspiring and powerful poem. I was in awe while reading this poem.
Bless your heart,
Susan (Ontario, Canada)
Left by S. on September 20th, 2007
Thank you, LaRonda!! I am sure to have your name on it that you wrote! You have blossomed everyone by your powerful poem!
Left by Lisa Marie on September 20th, 2007
LaRonda..oh LaRonda!!!!
I ain’t gonna say this on this…you know what I’m gonna say… eh eh
(wink)
Mwah!!
Linda
Left by Linda on September 20th, 2007
LaRonda,
You’re a wonderful writer! I love your poetry I read so far; I know I haven’t read them all yet. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work with us.
Left by learning ASL on September 22nd, 2007
I have missed this one a few months ago but better late than never. I will indeed add this to the DBC website! Reading your poem brings me goosebumps!!
Left by Barb DiGi on November 7th, 2007