Deaf American Poetry: An Anthology

To a Deaf-Mute Lady

Angeline Fuller Fischer 70 To a Deaf-Mute Lady We met but once, just for a little while, And ever since that hour, deep in my heart Your name has lain inscribed indelibly, And in the picture gallery of my mind Your image has retained a worthy place, And I will gaze upon it in the days That yet may add unto my span of life, My knowledge and the number of my friends. The modest grace, the cordial sympathy Revealed both by your countenance and words, Roused in my heart a tender, latent chord That then vibrated, and is vibrating Even yet, most pleasantly. Our meetings and our partings may be termed A matter of small consequence, but life, you know, Is made of little things, and spirits grow By slow degrees, yet ever quickly note Affinity, wherever it exists, In any one they casually may meet, And so it was with me that long ago I saw in you a spirit that aspired Above, beyond herself, and so my heart Thrilled with a sense of true affinity, And owns to-day that it is richer for Those moments spent with you. ...