"Ma!" for my mother
[deaf, not dumb.]
i. I, mother.
both my daughter.
both.
she 13.
she 2 yr old.
he my son. 17.
3 children.
I love.
all different father.
no good.
I take care.
self I do it.
no bother me.
I busy take care.
no bother me.
ii. God's rope
I try work training.
I finish test.
me good math high;
reading poor.
me five grade reading.
language different.
job help me with reading.
woman said good math,
reading fair.
no worry. language different.
me A-S-L.
different.
soon me look book. practice.
your old book
still have.
iii. boyfriend
me no trust him.
he stay here, he pay me.
no game me. he help rent.
no fool me.
he pay.
he come late. why? why?!
before he busy friend house smoke
high.
no tell me nothing.
he wrong.
no call.
me wait for him long time.
he wrong mucho.
finish work, second come home.
watch.
me no play.
me kick out.
watch.
me other man.
iv. teenage son
what you said?
assoh.
you think you tough.
you sht.
you think you boss?
no. you sht.
excuse me!
no talk bad me. no.
fawk you. okay?
fawk you.
v. what God meant
why me deaf?
me 7 month old.
a'uela old building live
columbia street,
before old apartment long time ago,
a'uela walk down stair;
no see garbage people put,
people no care,
a'uela no look,
drop me fell stair.
a'uela worry.
almost fell top me.
lucky hold wall.
lucky.
vi. piggy bank
before me 18,
finish high school,
I work bank.
one week and half.
boss no good.
try fresh me.
oooh-wee,
forget it.
I try other job.
vii. phenomenal womon
my name
A-d-e-l-a-i-d-a D-e-l-g-a-d-o.
I
Puertorican.
no worry me.
I very, very strong.