i meet you, another human being
you look at me, another human being
you speak, as humans do

you witness my hands morphing
contorted into various shapes
and the recognition in your eyes
disappears

animal. you flex your vocal cords
more, and more, straining
only another human being
could understand you

i shake my head
you think i'm dead
and you holler again
to wake me

you meet me, an animal
i look at you, another stranger
i sign, as animals do

always asking
never receiving

a dog barks
a cat meows
a baby cries
for attention
for understanding