Seeds become Trees
(A poem created and performed in American Sign Language)

Note: American Sign Language (ASL) is a visually based language that has its own unique rules and structure; it is not simply a signed representation of English. ASL poetry uses visual patterns (such as a repeated handshape, movement or sign location) to create rhyme and rhythm. For example, in this poem, the poet limits himself to three handshapes, the “1,” “5” and “9” handshapes. In addition, he sets up two sign locations, one to his left and one to his right, and all of his signs are produced first in the space to his left, and are then repeated in the space to his right. This repetition of sign movement and location create the poem’s rhythm and meter. Because the poetic qualities of an ASL poem are visual, a written translation would not capture the poem’s essence. Therfore, we have provided a summary of the poem’s content.

The poem opens with the planting of seeds in the ground, and then shows how the seeds are cared for, how they grow into trees, and how new seeds from the trees’ fruit are planted to continue the cycle of the apple trees. We first see a boy planting apple seeds in the ground; he digs holes for the seeds, places them in the earth, covers them and gives them water. After time passes, the seeds begin to sprout, and soon apple trees grow. We then see two boys come across the trees, and each boy plucks an apple from a tree. After eating the apples down to their cores, the boys each pick out five seeds. Then the cycle begins anew, with the planting of the ten seeds.

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Andrew Paratore, Age 11
California School for the Deaf
Fremont, California
Teacher: Vanessa Sandez