These poems express my assumptions on what my friends with severe autism may be expressing through their fear, anger, loneliness, stubbornness and frustration. The last poem is lighter as it describes the "joining process" I describe in a few of my other articles.
Fear
Defenseless at most, helpless we coast.
Mountains of fear, ever so near
Causing the plight, brought on by the fright
Lost in confusion, realm of illusion
Trying to get by, both inward and shy
Who do we trust? But trust we must
For alone, often lost, unable to cross
To the perceptual view, of not just a few
What is occurring now, the where, when and how?
Impatience
I wait
I wonder
I listen
I pray
Waiting for outcomes
Still far away
Who can hear my silent cry?
And still do nothing
Just stand by
Apparently many
So it seems
Lost in their own
Superficial dreams
I wait
I wonder
I listen
I cry
As the days and weeks
And years go by.
Loneliness
Me Against the World
I sit in the throng
Perceiving the future
Examining the past
Closed in
Shut out
Pulling in
Thrashing about
From the fright
Help!
I shout
I can not be
Part of your world
Can you not see?
Separate is what
I am destined
To be
Stubbornness
Frail, pale, angelic blue eyes,
Torrents, torments, unspoken truths,
Anger, pain, stubborn resolve,
Subject me not to your rules
He seems to shout,
As he covers his ears,
And jumps about,
Toothbrush in hand
Tapping a rhythm,
Only he understands,
Carefully watching
From the corner of his eyes,
For an opportunity to escape,
The trappings we create,
Freedom at last! If only for awhile
At times like this, one can glimpse
My friend' infectious smile.
Frustration
I am who I am! This is who I was meant to be
My perceptions create the person I know as me.
My world is not your world! Why can you not see?
Not fully in my body, I am aloft, truly free.
Why should I be a slave to a body that causes me such pain?
Why would I limit myself? What have I to gain?
Why must I work so hard-meet you more than half way?
Why must I try so hard when you stay at bay?
Accept what you have been offered, with an open grateful heart.
If you would like to grow in wisdom to become what I call smart.
It is a club to envy; its membership quite unique.
An open willing heart is all you really need.
Approach me, as my student-I will teach you well.
Approach me as my teacher I am apt to give you hell.
Approach as a partner-we will flourish in exchange.
Approach me as a martyr-you may sense my disdain.
I have many answers that I can share with you.
Just keep your channel open. Listen for what rings true.
My love reaches out to you, from the spiritual side of me.
Appreciate the blessing I am meant to be.
Joining
A meeting of minds
A blending of souls
Intertwining free flowing thought
Exchanging ideas as precious gifts,
One to the other hoping to uplift,
Never judging,always accepting,
An engagement of spirit, lovely and free,
Communicating union for humanity
I have served as a teacher of individuals with autism for many years. What my students have taught me was to be sure of nothing, and open myself to the extraordinary. If you are interested in learning more about the "joining process" take the opportunity to check out my articles. Comments are encouraged and appreciated.
Thank you,
Mary Ann Harrington
http://web.mac.com/maharrington
Hope In Religion
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