Original Poem：
In the laboratory waiting room
containing
one television actor with a teary face
trying a contact lens;
two muscular victims of industrial accidents;
several vain women—I was one of them—
came Deborah, four, to pick up her glass eye.
It was a long day:
Deborah waiting for the blood vessels
painted
on her iris to dry.
Her mother said that, holding Deborah
when she was born,
“First I inspected her, from toes to navel,
then stopped at her head ...”
We wondered why
the inspection hadn’t gone the other way.
“Looking into her eye
was like looking into a volcano:
“Her vacant pupil
went whirling down, down to the foundation
of the world ...
When she was three months old they took it out.
She giggled when she went under
the anaesthetic.
Forty-five minutes later she came back
happy! ...
The gas wore off, she found the hole in her face
(you know, it never bled?),
stayed happy, even when I went to pieces.
She’s five, in June.
“Deborah, you get right down
from there, or I’ll have to slap!”
Laughing, Deborah climbed into the lap
of one vain lady, who
had been discontented with her own beauty.
Now she held on to Deborah, looked her steadily
in the empty eye.</p>
Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem
This poignant poem vividly captures a moment in a laboratory waiting room where various people with different struggles converge. Among them is Deborah, a four-year-old girl who is there to pick up her glass eye. The poem delicately explores themes of disability, acceptance, and resilience through Deborah’s experience and her mother’s reflections.
The imagery of Deborah’s vacant pupil being like a volcano “whirling down to the foundation of the world” evokes a sense of depth and mystery, symbolizing the profound impact of her condition. Despite losing her eye at three months old, Deborah’s cheerful demeanor, even under anesthesia and after surgery, highlights her remarkable innocence and strength. The contrast between the vain women in the waiting room and Deborah’s genuine happiness further emphasizes the poem’s message about true beauty and acceptance.
Background and Author Introduction
This poem is often attributed to a contemporary poet who focuses on themes of human vulnerability and strength. The setting in a medical or laboratory waiting room suggests a real-life context where people confront physical challenges and societal perceptions of beauty and normalcy. The author uses simple yet evocative language to invite readers to empathize with those who live with disabilities and to reconsider their own views on appearance and worth.
Emotional Impact and Reader Reflection
Reading this poem encourages a deep emotional response. It invites readers to reflect on how society treats individuals with disabilities and how children like Deborah navigate their world with courage and joy. The poem also touches on parental love and the complex feelings involved in watching a child face medical challenges.
Educational Value and Learning Points for Children and Students
This poem offers several valuable lessons for young readers and students:
- Empathy and Compassion: Students learn to understand and appreciate the experiences of people who are different from themselves.
- Resilience: Deborah’s cheerful attitude despite her challenges teaches children about inner strength and positivity.
- Acceptance of Differences: The poem encourages acceptance of physical differences and challenges societal standards of beauty.
- Observation and Description: The vivid imagery and metaphorical language provide a model for creative writing and descriptive skills.
Practical Applications in Life and Study
- Social Awareness: Students can discuss how to support classmates or community members with disabilities.
- Art and Writing: Using the poem as inspiration, children can create their own poems or stories about overcoming difficulties.
- Health Education: The poem can be a gentle introduction to topics about medical procedures and the importance of care and support.
Reading Comprehension Questions
- Where does the poem take place?
- Who is Deborah and what is special about her?
- How does Deborah react to her surgery and medical treatment?
- What does the mother’s inspection of Deborah symbolize?
- How do the other people in the waiting room differ from Deborah?
- What message does the poem convey about beauty and acceptance?
- Why is Deborah’s empty eye described as looking like a volcano?
- How does the poem make you feel about people with disabilities?
Answers to the Comprehension Questions
- The poem takes place in a laboratory waiting room.
- Deborah is a four-year-old girl who has a glass eye.
- Deborah reacts happily and giggles under anesthesia; she remains cheerful even after surgery.
- The mother’s inspection symbolizes a deep concern and love, as well as the shock and adjustment to Deborah’s condition.
- The other people are described as vain or victims of accidents, contrasting with Deborah’s innocence and resilience.
- The poem conveys that true beauty comes from within and that acceptance is crucial.
- The empty eye is described as a volcano to symbolize its mysterious depth and the emotional intensity behind it.
- The poem inspires empathy and respect for people with disabilities, highlighting their strength and humanity.
This poem serves as a powerful educational tool to foster understanding, kindness, and creative expression among young learners.
