finding the good ear

i forget which ear

is the bad

ear sometimes and lean

in to hear

a conversation across the table,

trying to read lips,

straining to

catch a word

or two

to figure out what's being

said.

i become adept at nodding

in agreement.

i smile

and shake

my head

according to the facial

expressions

i observe.

i make sounds like hmm,

or mutter yes.

but i'm never sure if it's my

right ear

or my left ear

that allows sound in,

sign language may be next.