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James William Sowell 88 The Oralist* All you care to do on earth is to make a show, Claim the power of miracle to see the people stare; For you have an audience everywhere you go, Oralist, whose traffic is a little child’s despair. Oralist, O oralist, show your silken hose, Little souls are sacrificed that you may wear such clothes; Little souls and beautiful, pure from God’s own hand; Halting feet that lamely walk; wistful eyes that plead, Hearts but could you only read them, could you understand, You would throw away your creed and give to them their need. Oralist, O oralist, work to get your laws Force the baby lips to lisp, laugh at all their flaws. Minds they have as sound as yours but for hours you waste; Spirits as impervious yearning for the light; See! Their baby hands they lift, pleading that in haste You may see the wrong you do and will cease to smite. Oralist, O oralist, turn your head aside, Know you not the pitying Christ for sins like yours has died? * Oralism is the educational method in which deaf children are taught speech and lipreading. “Pure” oralism prohibits any use of sign language. ...

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