Happy River

Note: American Sign Language is a visually based language that has its own unique rules and structure; its 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. 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.

Summary:
Gideon Firl's poem focuses on a boy growing up along a river. Watching the river as a child, the boy saw grass, animals and trees. As he grew, the river changed, becoming dirty, the banks lined with factories and smokestacks. The sky is now gray, there is oil in the water, and trees are falling into the river, and are being cut down. It is a depressing place. Looking back on his childhood, the man wants the river to be beautiful again. He cleans and cleans until the river looks like it did when he was a boy.

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Gideon Firl, age 10
2008 Finalist
Livermore, California
California School for the Deaf (Fremont)
Teacher: Jennifer Hipskind