Deaf Alphabet

 

Unusually rainy May,

Your mother wary,

We slipped.

Braver than I

You began

Touching my forearm

Feather-strokes

Lifting us somewhere

Ancient and crisp.

Later, cupping my hands,

You taught me signs,

Quiet language,

Tracing “o” then “v”.

Thank-you is done

Moving the fingertips

Away from the mouth

To a palm-up position.

My still hands

Never forget

The most simple terms:

Breath, apple, equal.