Poem: ‘If I told you I was deaf would you turn away’ by Colin Thomson

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If I told you I was deaf would you turn away
Or would I read your lips that tell me its ok
Would you understand if I start to use my hands
And tell you how I feel

If I tried to speak and the words weren’t complete
Would you smile and think less of me
Or do you really see me for me and not a disability
If I began to stare would you realise

How much I need to see and listen with my eyes
If I began to touch would you be offended
If I began to point to what I want or intended
You can take my hearing aid
To you its just another game

You can take my love yes that’s ok
No matter what you take from me
Can’t take my identity
It’s mine

But come closer I want to share it with you
I will show you how to sign the words
I love you too
I will show you how to laugh and be proud
I don’t care who’s watching I want to I sign it out loud

Can you see me for me and not my disability
Would it sound strange to say
I am a language minority
Take me for who I am and I can laugh with you
See me for what I am and show some respect too

Only then you will find that in visual mind
I just might love you too.

As well as being a poet, Colin Thomson is a family support worker and is a freelance BSL/Deaf Awareness trainer. He is also a signed singer, possibly one of the first in the UK, performing for the first time over 35 years ago. He has performed on See Hear and at various Deaf events, and is the fourth generation of his family to be born Deaf.