By Dr. Abebe Teklu

In Praise of Louis Braille
A poem by Dr. Abebe Teklu (May 1, 2009).

Louis Braille, who are you?
Physically, I’ve never met you.
You’ve passed on to Heaven,
Yet still you are my companion.

You are my inner soul, my sight,
My trusted right hand for life,
A hero, who brings ever lasting light.
You’ve changed our lives, others and myself.

When my sight was taken away,
I thought I couldn’t run and play.
I had to follow someone’s lead.
No longer could I hope to read.

Before long I realized,
My life was not compromised!
The spirit of Braille whispered in my ear,
“You lost nothing; do not despair.”

“You can still read”, I heard him say
“Stories on paper and in other ways.”

One door closes, and another opens.
No more losing second chances.
I trusted your advice, and went to school,
It was there, there, I met you, dear Braille!

Let me admit, when we first met,
Braille made no sense to me.
But, the more I touched each dot and letter,
The more I began to see.

I regained my sight! Touching is seeing.
Nothing’s better than this! I’m an equal human being.

I could excel at everything!
Truly, I lost nothing.
I achieved alongside my sighted friends;
Nothing was lost to my blindness.

No other closeness can embrace my spirit;
You restored my worth and merit.
Hopelessness merits defeat!
Braille, you’ve made my life complete.

A teacher and an alphabet, your name signifies;
Now, with Braille, I write Braille’s praise:

B . you made me Brave and Bright.
R . you Restored my confidence and sight;
A . since I met you, Braille’s Always been with me;
I . you gave me Independence; you made me free;
L . again, I am always Learning;
L . you Lift my spirits, as I am achieving;
E . you are Ever my companion, always Enduring.

Although Braille the man
Passed on a long time ago,
Still you are with us,
Giving joy, not woe.

The gift of your invention
Spreads literacy world wide;
You create change for many that are blind,
Restoring power and pride.

As we learn your system
You open doors for many.
We thank you Braille for being the hero
You help us on our journey.