InfoGuides: Sign Language Poetry: Websites

Last Updated: Sep 28, 2024 5:48 PM

Search for Sign Language Poetry Using Google Tools

Sometimes it is helpful to search Google Books to find more information on this topic. Google Scholar is also helpful. If we have the database article, it will show up as an RIT Library link and you can read the article. Sometimes we do not have the article, but you can request it for free via our Interlibrary Loan Services. Set your library preferences in Google Scholar and check off RIT so you can access our database articles when using Google Scholar.The general Google search may lead to interesting finds related to this topic, particularly YouTube videos.

Nature Themes in Sign Poetry

Thanks to Jody Cripps for sharing a poet's work on nature and his list of poems for further exploration and research.

Bottoms, A. R. (2012). Deflowered. Deaf Studies Digital Journal, Issue 3. (Note, not available online-contacted poet for more information about the poem).

A list of ASL poetry works is on the Society for ASL’s website. http://societyforasl.org/poetry-table

Thanks to Eric Epstein for sharing this list of recent poets' works on nature.

"Sunflower" by Raul Melgar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7i7IKwv6iI (high-quality original ASL poem that won honorable mention in the ASL poetry category of the 2017-2018 Gallaudet University National Literary Competition). You can also use this video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hEXv1Ab60A, but this version's filming quality is diminished.
"Dandelion Blowing in the Wind" by Evelina Gaina - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElpQvg8qfWI - an ASL poem about Evelina processing her grief over losing her pet cat -- where the dandelion field represents the transformation of all deceased pets into free-flying dandelion wisps in the wind, bringing joy to all.
"The Rosebush" by Ella Mae Lentz - this is a relatively recent ASL nature poem (dating 2008) where the roses symbolize the growth of ASL. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9biUSeHRlo&list=PLK1Kuz-qBU2cu6tYrh0MjBj6gvGHxMR_y&index=17
"Caterpillar" by Ian Saborn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmpd-XCRDjIcan be considered a nature poem in that it depicts the journey of a caterpillar's metamorphosis into a butterfly.
"Sweeping Sister Willow" by Terrylene Sacchetti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlmEclBN4to has prominent nature imagery of the willow tree "sweeping" old pains and sorrows of the river's surface to move on to a new beginning, a new sunrise.
"The Leaf" by John Maucere - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-fNV0Eh1h8 - the leaf is personified as someone susceptible to peer pressure and gets caught up in the whirlwind of the river. He also made another ASL poem prominently featuring nature called "Nourish and Embrace... it will Thrive" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e4w0f8fYhc
"Symbiosis" by Douglas Ridloff—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvgdn8WtOnM—tells the story of bees supporting flowers until an unfortunate pesticide wipes out the bees and ultimately kills the flowers, symbolizing the Deaf community and the efforts of outsiders to eradicate ASL. This ASL poem is the spiritual successor to Valli's "Dandelions" because the poet Douglas has said he is most influenced by Clayton Valli.

Sign Language Poets

Some poets you may want to research are listed below. You can use the Gallaudet Deaf Biography database to find more information about some of these poets. Click on "search by keyword" and type in last name, first name.

American Sign Language Poets
Colin Analco
Bernard Bragg
Aneta Brodski
Peter Cook/Kenny Lerner
Eric Epstein
Patrick Graybill
Ella Mae Lentz
Eric Malzkuhn
Dorothy Miles
Robert Panara
Jeremy Quiroga
Rezenet Moges-Riedel
Debbie Rennie
Douglas Ridloff
Ian Sanborn
Rosa Lee Timm
Eddie Swayze
Clayton Valli

UK Sign Language Poets
Richard Carter
Dorothy Miles
Gary Quinn
Paul Scott
Donna Williams
John Wilson

Australia Sign Language Poet
Walter Kadiki

Brazilian Sign Language Poet
Fernanda de Araugo Machado.

Dutch Sign Language Poets
Wim Emmerik
Giselle Meyer

Italian Sign Language Poets
Rosaria Giuranna and Giuseppe Giuranna

Swiss Sign Language Poet
Rolf Lanicca

Dorothy Miles

Dot's' Legacy

Dot

Poets of Color

Poets of color are listed here. Some write English poetry, some sign poetry, and some create in both languages. If other poets of color should be listed, please get in touch. Thank you to Fred Beam and Jill Bradbury for sharing this information.

Elyane King
Irvine Stewart
Kristi Merriweather
Rosa Lee Timm (Gallimore)
Ayisha Knight-Shaw
Earl Terry
Fred Beam
Teraca Florence
Sho Roc (Keith Brown – songwriter)