And do not weep for I'm only blind...

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 61, 1 August 1974, Page 6

And do not weep for I'm

only blind...

Standard 4 pupils at Taupo Primary School were set an assignment last week on blindness, as part of their studv of Braille week. Four of the poems submitted by pupils are published, including oue by Malia Teao, a Tokelaun childj

BY MALIA TEAO In my heart so deep inside, I am blind, I can not walk to the door, Any more, "Would you help me?'\ "Could you help me?", In my heart I can feel the dark Which comes over my eyes, I can not see any more, But I can count the number four, Good-bye! Good-bye!, I have to sleep,

And do not weep, For I'm only blind. BY PAULINE F. I wouldn't like to be blind, Not seeing everything so fine, Dark inside your eyes, Not seeing the blue sky, Touching, hearing, Those things can be done, What about seeing, Imagine all the possibilities, If you were blind,

Not seeing in front and behind, Imagine if you weren't blind, The colours would be so fine, So when you see someone blind, Always take a helping hand, To every blind person on this land. BY MARAMA TAHAU It isn't funny being blind, You can't even see, What you leave behind, If you were blind you could not see, The horse, the birds, and the bees,

The beans, the carrots or the peas, If you were blind you could not see, Fires or lights, Or lots of things, That are very bright, If you were blind, You could not see, Wendy, Karen, Judy or me, So I am glad that I'm not blind, 'Cause I can see what I leave behind. BY ANNE KNIGHT Suddenly blinded, My eyes open but nothing can I see.

Lifeless a blank is the picture I view, Through my eye binoculars. A lead in one hand, A stick in the other, A dog which guides me, A stick black and white. Life isn't the same, My sense of feeling and touch become stronger, As I learn to rely on them more. Sometimes stumbling, sometimes tumbling, Over the cobbles and stones. Deep in my heart I feel blind,

I can not explore so much. My laughter knows less than before, And the world around me seems blank. I feel lost and lonely. Now years after I've adapted to it, Grateful for the dog, the cane, guidance and help. I'm able to do more to explore more, And learn what the world around me is like.