Silent Hands

Author: Sandra L. Brooks

Can you hear me?
Listen, not with your ears
But with your eyes.
To you they speak,
My silent hands.
Hear me tell my tale.
Hear me sing my song.
Learn my language,
My beautiful native language.
Hear my hands,
Hear my music and story.
Learn my language.
Speak to me with your hands.
Share my beautiful language.
Hear my silent hands.
We have a tale to tell,
A song to sing.
Open your eyes
And hear me speak.

I Hear Your Hand

Author Unknown

Hey there, friend, you've got a hand
Help me see what you said to me
Don't hide your hand
My ears are closed I cannot hear
But we can share the world, don't fear
Just lend a hand
Lend a hand, and I can show you
How to sing words in the air
You can share my world of silence
There's so much I want to share
I'm reaching out to you
There's so much we can do
Before I knew I walked with you
Until the day you turned away
See what I say
The world that you are hearing now
Is the same world that I see
Reach out your hand
I hear your hand
Lend a hand and I can show you
How to sing words in the air
You can share my world of silence
There's so much I want to share
I'm reaching out to you
There's so much we can do
You call me Deaf but I can see
Birds singing, breezes in the trees and children laugh
My world is lonely without you
Just look at me and smile and clasp my hand in yours
Lend a hand and I can show you
How to sing words in the air
You can share my world of silence
There's so much I want to share
I'm reaching out to you
God can make dreams come true.

Beatitudes for Friends of the Deaf

Author Unknown

BLESSED ARE THEY THAT SEEM TO KNOW
that lipreading is difficult and slow.
BLESED ARE THEY WHO SHAKE MY HAND
and write notes to help me understand.
BLESSED ARE THEY WHO KNOW I LONG
to hear voices, music and song
BLESSED ARE THEY WHO SEEM TO SEE
when I'm lost in a group of two or three.
BLESSED ARE THEY WHO TAKE TIME OUT
to explain what they are talking about.
BLESSED ARE THEY WHO HAVE A SMILE
that makes my life more worthwhile.
BLESSED ARE THEY WHO MAKE IT KNOWN
by faith in God's promises, I'll not walk alone.
BLESSED ARE THEY WHO UNDERSTAND
as I journey to that city "not made with hands".