I am a Laryngectomee
by Jim Hess
I am a laryngectomee, tho’ not by choice
They operated on me and removed my voice.
It was caused by cancer, a terrific ordeal
(take heed you smokers, it's true and real)
I tried to talk but nothing could I say
My morale went down and I started to pray.
Then in walked a man I did not know
He tells me his name in a voice soft and low
He told me things I was anxious to know
He tells me of a school where you learn to speak
They hold classes at least once a week.
And there is never a charge, not a thing to pay.
He knows what it’s like, he’s been there too you see
For this soft spoken man is also a laryngectomee.
Now I’m feeling fine and I talk okay
My morale is up what more can I expect ?
I could be a lot worse than a laryngect...
Now many years have gone by since I talked to that man
I am feeling real good and doing my bit
For the other unfortunates that cancer has hit
I tell them my name in voice soft and low
I tell them the things they are anxious to know
I tell them of a place where they can learn to speak.
There is never a charge, not a thing to pay.
Where we have good teachers, the best in the land
Miss Mary and her speech therapist band.
Some do real good and learn to talk real quick.
Some others are slower, they’ve been too sick.
All in all they’re happy I know
To be able to speak in a voice soft and low.
Some others didn’t make it they waited too long
To go to the doctor to see what was wrong.
It’s a terrific ordeal this cancer you see
But there are lots of things worse than
Being a soft spoken laryngectomee.
Reprinted From “The Voice” of Montgomery County, MD