Deaf poet and Houghton High School graduate Raymond Luczak visited Houghton on Tuesday, Sep. 15, to share his poetry and experiences at the Portage Lake District Library.
Luczak read poems from three of his books: Chlorophyll, Ironhood, and Animals Out-There W-i-l-d, with the help of his interpreter, Adam Bartley, who resides in Washington, D.C. Bartley was chosen because there are no certified ASL interpreters in the Houghton area. Luczak also previewed his book, Feet in the Waves, which will be featured at the Well-Read Raccoon & Curiosities on Sep. 25 at 6 p.m.
The poems highlighted nature, animals, and the beautiful scenery of planet Earth, tying different species to messages that resonate with the listener on a personal level. Marilyn Agin, Luczak’s creative writing teacher in high school, was asked what resonated with her: “Raymond used the body movements, facial expressions and symbolism of ASL, trying to evoke the audience’s feelings and draw us into his physical world, his emotions, and his heart. And he did.”
Luczak moved to Houghton from Ironwood to participate in the deaf program that Houghton High School was offering. He talked about a time when, in his class, deaf people were not allowed to sign at all. Techniques like sitting on their hands and slapping them while signing were employed to enforce the no ASL policy. However, the class that was a year ahead of them was allowed to sign, and they were next door. During this time, he had a communication board draped around his chest to help him converse with students and teachers at school, where he found himself getting bullied and excluded from things because he was different. He also expressed the mental health struggles he had because he was treated differently, like an outsider.
After the poetry reading, Luczak opened the room to questions. He reflected on the significance of nature in his upbringing and his enduring love for the outdoors, saying, “there is no need for sounds, just the beautiful view of the animals and the scenery.” Agin remarked that she “felt like a proud ‘mom,’ seeing that the shy, hesitant young man I had known over forty years ago had grown into a confident, articulate, outgoing and compassionate man with a good sense of humor.” Luczak will continue to write more books reflecting on his experiences and perceptions.
