Sign Language Poetry - "The Light" (ASL Snippets #6)

Sign Language Poetry - "The Light" (ASL Snippets #6)
(Are you a new signer? Start with ASL Snippets #1)
This is a very simple poem that I composed several years ago as a way of demonstrating some very basic uses of rhythm and classifiers in ASL poetry. The rules of ASL poetry and other spoken/written forms of poetry are quite different and ASL poetry is a relatively very new field for artists and enthusiasts to explore and enjoy.

[@netizencapet]

I'm quite fascinated by the unique expressive potential of ASL poetry...all these visual & kinetic rather than aural & phonetic axes of cohesion & contrast. Would love a translation into English!

[@AbsurdExistentialist]

In my ASL class we are learning ASL poetry and I am just so blown away. I love the continuity and fluidity of the hands. Especially loved how you transitioned from the sea to the boat. It truly amazes me how I can "see" the rhyme and the metric. I can't even explain it. I just feel it.

[@ASLwithRob]

Well thank you. My goal with this poem was to create something visual and simple that both signers and non-signers alike could see and understand. There are also two rhythms within the poem. See if you and your class can find them.

[@hersp44]

Your ASL Poetry, "The Light" .is very nice. At first I thought it meant something like a lamp, flashlight but when you signed a contour of a lighthouse, I got it. Hope for more of your ASL poetry.

[@DawaLhamo]

Beautiful. I don't know any ASL, but I loved the rhythm and imagery of your movements. It seems very much like music.

[@biancasicich7898]

This is so cool. A new way to define art. I'm doing a presentation on signed poetry for my Linguistics of Signed Languages classes and this is great for reference.

[@ASLwithRob]

Thank you. This was a very simple poem. I created it with the intention that both signers and non-signers could follow it.

[@ASLwithRob]

Thank you! Glad you liked the poem. I'll create more as time permits. I have done a few ABC stories for fun. (Such as "Checkmate" which you can see on my channel.)

[@raxacoon]

This was really beautiful. Thank you :)

[@jazlynbell8202]

Easy to follow and lovely! The waves looked beautiful

[@ASLwithRob]

Well thank you very much!

[@ASLmom]

Good example and nicely done !

[@TJtheHuman]

I'm at an early conversational level in ASL. I'm noticing a lot of parallel structure and motion in this poem, like light with vision.

[@ASLwithRob]

Glad you like it!

[@Banerika]

I love it so much!!!

[@goronska]

This is very cool, beause you need to know very little of ASL (like the sign "to look", which can be easily deduced here) to grasp this kind of poetic expression. It gave me nice and serene feeling, would love to see more. Is it true that ASL has a lot od "initiated" poetry or "ABC" poetry, where you try to play on words by using handshapes for different letters? Have you written or recorded something on that?

[@7_ry2]

مين جاي من فيديو احمد عشان يعرف ايش يقول الشعر مين زيي ؟

[@devanfronk960]

Beautiful!

[@sebastianmendezb]

Thank you for this video. I do not know ASL, and I would very much enjoy to understand this poem. I switched on the video's english subtitles, but they didn't contain anything. If there were a website where I could find an english-written version of the poem, please tell me of it. Again, thank you very much for this video, kind regards.

[@paulainunciaga475]

Translating poetry is always a bad idea. He is describing a scene about a lighthouse near a cliff and a row boat. Try to imagine this elements as he signs them and you will understand the poetry. (Two fingers pointing means sight)

[@ASLwithRob]

Depends on what your focus is. Are you wanting to depict the entire butterfly, or just the part where its legs are sitting (BENT-V)?

[@ASLwithRob]

Hi! Glad you like the poem. :) Yes, ASL does have "ABC stories." I have one here on KZbin. (And will create more.) Simply look at my channel for the "Checkmate" video. I think you'll enjoy it.

[@guillermoguido4382]

BUENAAAARDO

[@ASLwithRob]

Thank you!

[@zBriGuy]

Very interesting video. FYI there is a slight hissing noise and I found it more impactful if I muted the video. If there is an option, you should remove the sound from the video or perhaps suggest to the viewers to hit the mute button.

[@ASLwithRob]

Thanks. :)

[@kirdook]

wow

[@ASLwithRob]

Then I would demonstrate the leaf with the non-dominant hand and the butterfly riding on it with the dominant hand using BENT-V.

[@ASLmom]

It hitches a ride on a leaf actually.

[@ASLmom]

How would I classify a butterfly sitting. Bent v ? I was thinking...

[@tiredamateur]

0:13 (for myself)

[@bethbarker6412]

If doing the signs should I be mirroring you using mostly my right or is hand use purely based on the speakers dominant hand?

[@JOJO_GAMNG]

من طرف ابو الرُب

[@HanLego]

A lighthouse?

[@marissalopez9500]

is there any lyrics for this poem? I need them for this poem for my asl final

[@ASLwithRob]

Hi Marissa! I created this poem entirely in ASL. There is no English interpretation of it.

[@cra2398]

hello, I love this video and i also need it for my ASL class final. i was wondering if maybe you could reply to this comment giving me your reason behind this poem and what was the inspiration for it?

[@georgetsirigotis8121]

did u pass? lmfao

[@whenpapermeetspen]

do you know of any other poems written just for asl?

[@Gotham_Moon]

There are lots of them. ASL poems and stories are treasured by the Deaf community. Check around on KZbin for ASL poetry, etc. It's best if you are sure they are from a Deaf person (adult or child) like Mr. Nielson here.

[@haleysauve3920]

Can someone tell me what this says

[@wendolynep9663]

Haley Sauve he’s telling a story

[@Gotham_Moon]

It starts out with a flat landscape with a lighthouse. The light is circling in the lighthouse. It continues down a shore line and the waves crashing upon it... then out to a rough sea that eventually smooths out a little bit. We come next to a boat and a man standing on deck, surveying the sea. His gaze travels to the distant light of the lighthouse. From there, Mr. Nielson reverses the poem--going back to the boat, then the sea, then the surf, back up the coast and the lighthouse, and finally back to the land. Very beautiful poem!

[@dingledo23]

it's imagery more than it is lyrical. He is painting a picture with his hands of a lighthouse looking out over the ocean, the waves crashing up on the rocks, the movement of the ocean, and a boat on the sea moving with the waves, the man on the boat looking out towards the lighthouse. It pans back to the lighthouse flashing it's light out over the ocean. You should be able to picture it without really thinking English words for this I would think. I could even feel it and thought the fluidity of the waves and the boat made me feel extremely relaxed.