Sarcasm's Bubble

as a child I learned that one
needs not sight to know others
are staring at you in obvious

curiosity. I felt the intrusion
and the confusion of others as they
observed books within an inch

of my nose or my eyes squinted almost
shut in an effort to focus on a distant
treasure. I also learned that the

truths of blindness and deafness
were sometimes muddled, sometimes
perceived as one in the same. Though

annoying I became accustomed to this
and in my early years I brushed it off
and went on doing my thing as I knew

how to do it. As the teen years came
upon me, I found myself to be
more outspoken about such things but

always with politeness as I understood
their hesitancy to assuage their
curiosity with simple inquiry. But

what I could not tolerate then, and still
find my tolerance level non-existent for, is
sarcasm tainted with mockery where my

blindness is concerned. I am often
not proud of my reaction but
cannot help bursting the bubble

of sarcastic ignorance with a little
sarcasm of my own... and often
find it works wonders.

'I seek not pity but expect
not to be shamed for
my difference.
I ask not to be viewed
with disdain.
I only ask for what I am
deserved... to be treated
with respect and dignity.
For that I will offer you
the same.'
(author unknown)