Loud as Thunder by Allison Benz

Hearing people assume that my deafness is dead _______, that I hear nothing

I do not live in a ______ world

My ears are ______, but my head is not

Every thought             every voice                 every word

is deafening

The ______ from my ears

amplifies

echoes

every noise

inside my head   inside my body

My head rings                         My thoughts flow                   My heartbeats roar

_____ loud as church bells      ______ loud as rapids            _____ loud as engines

Just because I’m deaf

hearing people assume that I am _______

My voice is not always the clearest

Nevertheless

I do not tolerate _____            I refuse to be ______

My voice is to be heard by all

            blazing                               sweeping                              booming

______ loud as a wildfire  _______loud as a tsunami _______loud as thunder

Allison Benz is a Deaf poet, writer, runner, and bread-baking enthusiast who currently lives in Pennsylvania. Allison graduated with a BA in Classics with Latin emphasis from University of Arizona and an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College. She now spends her time reading, writing, running, and baking bread to refuel after long runs.