ASL Poem: The Bridge

[peepla7]

love the poem. dont worry bout frames or comments from wannbe psyche-types. be you...as you do a better "you" than anyone else.

[grbabylovesongs]

Hi! I am Deaf. Congratulation! I interest your poem but i not like making video color (maybe movie maker, right?). i only suggest you that your video must be make brighter. I hope you understand me. I love you =) God bless you. ..

[jessweetca]

I am in a year long Deaf Culture Program. And 2 of the courses are on Deaf literature. Deaf Literature is any literature that involves Deaf people or that is by Deaf people. It is NOT exclusively for the Deaf and by the Deaf. It also includes historical, cultural, linguistic and artistic (poems, plays, stories) written or performed by hearing peopl sometimes in collaboration with the Daf scholars or artists and sometimes without. Many hearing people have Deaf family members, work with Deaf.

[jessweetca]

I am in a year long Deaf Culture Program. And 2 of the courses are on Deaf literature. Deaf Literature is any literature that involves Deaf people or that is by Deaf people. It is NOT exclusively for the Deaf and by the Deaf. It also includes historical, cultural, linguistic and artistic (poems, plays, stories) written or performed by hearing peopl sometimes in collaboration with the Daf scholars or artists and sometimes without. Many hearing people have Deaf family memebers, work with Deaf.

[22Di44]

I'm currently studying to become an ASL/English interpreter, and, well, our profs have been telling us that it's unacceptable for a hearing person to create ASL poetry. Splain? I mean, ASL poetry is a form of ASL literature which is supposed to be created purely by deaf people, for deaf people. No?

[MyHappyHands]

Honestly, I can barely dignify that with a response. Do these same professors believe that inter-culteral marriage is unacceptable? Do still believe in slavery? Because that statement belongs with the rest of those ignorant discriminations.

[22Di44]

@MyHappyHands Not at all. And it's not even a discrimination. When they first told us that hearing people can't create ASL literature I of course furrowed my eyebrows at it because it made no sense. But you're an interpreter are you not? I'm just surprised you weren't told the same thing.

[MyHappyHands]

I am not LABELED by my profession. I am Bi-Lingual and Bi-Cultural. I grew up in the Deaf Community... and am still a part of the Deaf Community. Were you not taught that LABELS in the community are SELF-IDENTIFIED?

[xxpowwowbluexx]

@MyHappyHands I'm a "home-grown" terp & I can't stand this kind of stuff that ITP students get taught. It is of course not their fault (mostly), but then things like this often manifest into oppressive behaviors of the ITP students/graduates onto the Deaf (including CODAs, & others of us who find our place in the Community). This kind of thing is rampant on YouTube especially. I urge any with whom this may apply to learn FROM the people, not so much ABOUT the people—& that goes for any people.

[unhatchable]

strange there is music?

[MyHappyHands]

yes - I used music to help me keep a good pattern (rhythm) in my editing - the song has nothing to do with the poem - but I used it as inspiration for the 'visual flow' of the video in the editing room

[xxpowwowbluexx]

@unhatchable What's strange about it?

[TanyaRocksTheWorld]

Please oh please add English subs! I am interested in learning sign language and this is motivating !!!

[MyHappyHands]

I'm so sorry - but there's no way I can really do that. I could give you a synopsis separately - but adding ANY English words to this poem would COMPLETELY invalidate what I was trying to do. It's signed in a VERY free-form ASL style and I have to leave it that way to maintain it's integrity.

[natashahonore]

wow u r so good

[berfoot68]

I think you are very funny. You are right, you have happy hands, and it is expressed delicately and beautifully. I am learning a lot watching your videos. Love your jokes... When I am having a bad day, I am able to find laughter and survive another day. Thanks, Rita

[MyHappyHands]

WOW! thank you so much... what a compliment :) I don't think I have response to equate to it... but thank you so much!

[thejuice2990]

wow. this video is awesome and TRIPPY!!! good job =)

[terpman12]

wow... this is amazing... truly beautiful and really shows what you are about...

[ASL8306]

I watched this awhile back...not sure why I didn't comment, but I *kiss fist* this! So much depth to this and emotion..love it.

[Vslice1467]

That was absolutely fabulous. Great work! You have magic hands.

[viper19861986]

Love the start...

For some reason i always like the first 1min of ASL poems the best....

[deafnoobing]

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!! Really good job and I can't wait to see more from you! I am inspired! Thank you for sharing with the world your talent! JIM

[dangerics]

I love the editing, the color and simple fx. They add a little without to much glitz. Very powerful poem.

[MyHappyHands]

THANK YOU! This is my favorite piece and not many really seem to GET it.... glad you enjoyed :)

[dangerics]

That's beautiful. I just sent this to my girlfriend who wants to learn ASL.

[suiteisme]

Amazing...you are absolutely amazing...mezmerizing!

[MyHappyHands]

WOW.....  thank you so much!

[ASLJess]

This poem evokes feelings in which words cannot express. ASL might be able to do the trick, it sure works for you! Wow, girl...I'm in awe of your gift.

[Sparcles8D]

What an inspiring piece! This was so wonderfully put together. The movement, the timing, the song, the editing...just beautiful. SO many people can relate to this story, but what's cool is that you put your own artistic style to it. I can't say how much I love this piece!! lol wow, PLEASE DO MORE!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU for sharing your experiences, stories and your "inspiring hands" with us =D

[indumamoon]

Wow! That was absolutely beautiful! I'm having a tear on my cheek. Ah, very inspiring and powerful! Wow! You're definitely very talented. Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing it with us! :)

[DragonessLife]

Amazing! I love your ASL and very beautiful. Great video. Thank you.

[luvtinkerbell06]

wow it is really good ASL poem to share with for deaf!

[supermandeaf30]

Awesome interpretation!! wow thank you for used asl with song i am deaf i can not hear song but thank you for asl i keep watch over 1000 time lol i want to said thank you very much great Job song asl i want to said thank you very much much and much smile

i am full deaf male

[MyHappyHands]

Hey man!! THX for positive words!! I appreciate that so much!!

Really, the music has nothing to do with the poem itself. It's just pretty music with no words for background.

I am sooooo glad u liked it! :)

[Stargal48]

Nice!

[wildroserunning]

I see different parts of this bridge each time I watch. Awesome interpretation!! Thanks so much for sharing w/ others.

peace and gratitude

[hoeyhemp]

BEAUTIFULLLLLLLL  MUH ; )

[MyHappyHands]

yaaay!!! I am SOOOO GLAD u liked it! It's my own expression so you never know how other ppl will see it, you know? Thanks for support bud!

[kydeafie]

Omg, It's beautiful.. Believe it or not, I had little tears in my eyes in the end. *sniff* LOL

[darksaber18]

thats beautiful story of poem n i love it^^