All my life I have been half deaf.
In my room I steam rice, make tea, dress myself to meet people.
I make them tell me their names twice, then help them as I can.
Though I play no lute, I hope they will feel as though hearing one lilt among trees.
The speaker tells us plainly that she has always been half deaf. Her daily life is intimate and unhurried: steaming rice, making tea, dressing before going out to meet people. Because hearing is difficult, she asks them to repeat their names, then helps them as she can.
Read the full summary