‘Lament to Deafness’ by Mike Nightingale

How shall I now proceed?
When it is company I need.
How should I proceed?
Can there be a solution?
What route will lead me to a resolution?
Help allay my con-fush-on?

Socializing for the human animal is an essential ingredient.
Fostering it... an important expedient.

Easier said than done.
Problems and barriers, by artful stealth can cruelly intercede.
So how shall I proceed?

When the room is full of chatter.
And of course for friendship that's no small matter.

The conversation serious or trivial. Babbling all around.
But...my deafness is profound.

Yes. Words, words, words. They abound.
I..... hear only confusing, distressing sound.

(Without aides I would hear but muffled purr.)

Can there be a solution?
What sort of route will lead me to a resolution?
And help allay my con-fush-on.

Do I really have to explain?
No. I know you already see my pain.

It is not just.... being out of the loop... as I will explain.

Sudden noise will also cause me pain.
I must turn the volume high.
Maybe some meaning from the conversation(s) to me will fly.

{Yes... (s)... that's the problem!!}
A burst of laughter assaults my ear.
Words and meaning simply disappear.

A diplomatic nod a smile, a wince.
Say something that I hope may at once convince.
I try a response to muster.
More oft times I resort to bluster.
An hour of this does ruin my cheer.
Much more leads to anger and has me near to tear.

So how should I proceed?

Can there be a solution? 

What route will lead me to a resolution?
And help allay my con-fush-on.

Perhaps I should politely reply 'No sorry, not today.'
But that's not the way it needs to play.
Obligations to others should be reviewed.
Well for friendship’s sake this would at least be shrewd.

And not just for others. What about me?
Socializing is truly needed.
Though so often it leads to angst when heeded.

So how should I proceed?

When still it is company I need?

So often it is an auditory disaster.
Such catastrophes are coming faster and faster.

I should be a hermit living all alone.
Perhaps with just a telephone.

That of course is nonsense.
Kanohi ki te kanohi is a human need.
It is still to the dinner party that I must proceed.

Perhaps a different format I should try.
But what can that possibly be I cry?
Should I withdraw, accept invitations no more.
But life with no friends is such a bore.

So how should I proceed?

I hear you say we understand.'

For that I truly wish to shake your hand.

So…

Face the danger, face it down?
Lest I slowly socially drown.

Grin and bear it I hear my inner mentor say.
Well indeed that may be the only way.

So how should I proceed?
Can there be a solution?
What sort of route would lead to a resolution?
And help allay my con-fush-on. 

Mike, of the U3A Writers Group, shared his poem

at our last meeting, in conjunction with a presentation

by Lisa Keen, Audiologist, to better understand the

difficulties caused by hearing loss with a view to

possible solutions.