博客

In a remarkable fusion of art and resilience, a choir of deaf children has redefined the boundaries of poetry and performance. Under the guidance of primary-school teacher Li Bailin, these young artists have turned their unique perspectives into a moving narrative that transcends auditory limitations. The journey began in May 2025 when Li, a teacher from Huitong county, Hunan province, was invited by a Beijing-based musician to teach poetry to a choir of deaf children. The goal was to integrate their written verses into their stage performances, creating a multisensory experience. Despite initial communication challenges, Li found innovative ways to bridge the gap. She introduced the children to poetry through recordings and a published collection of poems from her students in Hunan, allowing them to connect with the art form and their peers. However, the children’s limited Chinese vocabulary posed a hurdle. Li devised a creative solution by writing individual lines from the book on slips of paper, enabling the children to assemble their own poems. The result was a series of short, heartfelt verses that reflected their inner worlds. One 13-year-old boy wrote: ‘Morning / I pluck a single blade of grass / Its roots entwined within my heart / My favorite — so lovely / So full of song.’ Another method involved blindfolding the children and having them feel potted flowers, then drawing and transferring the images onto cotton bags. This process heightened their other senses, compensating for their lack of hearing. Li observed that their writing mirrored the sequence of their sign language gestures, leading to a unique poetic rhythm. In September 2025, 15 of these children took the stage at Beijing’s Forbidden City Concert Hall. Their poems were displayed on a large screen as they performed through movement and expression, culminating in a recitation of ‘ahs’ and ‘ohs’ that resonated deeply with the audience. Among the poems, one by a 16-year-old girl stood out. Titled ‘In Truth,’ it poignantly expressed her complex relationship with sign language: ‘In truth, / I have never liked sign language — / not at all. / Yet it helps me when I want to say ‘thank you.’ This performance not only showcased their artistic talents but also highlighted the power of inclusivity and creativity in overcoming adversity.

In the quiet countryside of Huitong county, Hunan province, a unique initiative is transforming the lives of rural children. Li Bailin, a dedicated Chinese language teacher at Su Yu School of Hope, has been guiding her students in writing poetry for the past eight years. These children, often referred to as ‘left-behind’ due to their parents’ migration to cities for work, have found a powerful outlet for their emotions through poetry. Li’s innovative approach, known as ‘field poetry,’ encourages students to draw inspiration from nature and their personal experiences, resulting in a collection of poignant and imaginative works. One such poem, written by a 10-year-old girl, poignantly captures the loneliness of parental absence: ‘Dad is like a bird — he flies out to find food, but seldom returns to the nest.’ Li’s journey into teaching poetry began after a student’s heartfelt letter revealed the deep emotional struggles these children face. Realizing the limitations of focusing solely on academic performance, Li shifted her approach to nurture her students’ emotional well-being. Through poetry, these children have found a way to articulate their inner thoughts, fears, and hopes, offering a glimpse into their often-overlooked lives. The initiative has not only provided emotional relief but also fostered creativity and resilience among the students. Li’s efforts have garnered attention, with her students’ poems being published in ‘The Field Poetry Class,’ a collection that showcases their remarkable talent. As Li continues to inspire her students, she remains committed to helping them navigate the challenges of their circumstances, proving that poetry can be a powerful tool for healing and self-expression.