Jennifer Jefferis
When one no longer hears
A helplessness nears
Nothing seems to connect
As if someone you love – had suddenly left
It shatters me – rearranges me
I fall at the thought
Into anger, sadness, denial
Yet still get up in the morning
Expecting it to be there – and realize
It is not
This must be a cruel mistake
Like a bad joke someone played
For how can this be?
Something has stolen my “me”
Life is not the same
I feel alone and shamed
No one seems to understand
Some yell because they think I hear
Others just give up
I am alone in a silent maze
Then someone comes along
And holds up a mirror for me to see
That though life is different
I can still find me
These people help retrieve me
Lead me
Make me more than I used to be
Because they are honest, clear and true
About what I can – and cannot – do
They walk beside me
They don’t turn their backs
They help me to connect the dots
So I come home to my self.