Destroying Nature

Note: American Sign Language is a visually based language that has its own unique rules and structures; it is not simply a signed representation of English. ASL poetry uses visual patterns (such as repeated handshape, movement, or sign location) to create rhyme and rhythm. Because the poetic qualities of an ASL poem are visual, a written translation does not quite capture the poem’s essence. Below is the poet’s summary of the poem and the judges’ comments.

Summary:
We see the world through the eyes of a girl. She is appreciative and inspired by all things natural. It is the impending doom of pollution that depresses her. Ever the optimist, she believes we can still rejuvenate past inspiration to restore nature to its original beauty.

Judges’ Comments:
This poem employs powerful facial expressions, as well as a rhythmic use of two signs—“inspire” and “sadden”—which are formed in the same manner but with opposite movements. One goes up on the chest and the other goes down, and the faces are the opposite, like the masks for Theatre (Comedy and Tragedy). Also, the poet used many “mirror” images of the same things—sunrise, river, ocean, and animals, but in the opposite sense. On one hand, they are so beautiful and inspiring, but when pollution comes into the picture, the same things are sad to look at.

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Meeya Tjiang, age 11
Palo Alto, California
California School for the Deaf (Fremont)
Teacher: Rory Osbrink