“Deaf Child, Sweet Sound” by E. Wen Wong

E. Wen Wong (age 11)

DEAF CHILD, SWEET SOUND

Until one summer
they said I was deaf
I didn’t listen
I couldn’t 
even if I wanted to.
 
Until one summer
they said I was quiet
I didn’t listen
I couldn’t 
even if I wanted to.
 
Until one summer
they said I was daft
I didn’t listen
I couldn’t 
even if I wanted to.
 
One summer
they said I was kind
I listened
what a sweet sound
I could hear.

from 2014 Rattle Young Poets Anthology

__________

Why do you like to write poetry?

E. Wen Wong: “I think of poetry as an art to transfer our thoughts about the world, or imagination that lives around us, onto paper. It’s as if we can connect with an audience through poetry by implementing surprises, unique stanzas, or even a single special word to catch their attention. Lastly, in my view, our minds are search engines constantly producing ideas to make an impact on the world, whether it is big or small.”

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