"Why do people hate me?"
A young lad asked his dad,
"I'm just playing in the garden
I'm not being bad."
"Well son, you've wrecked the flowers
And broken down some plants
You're supposed to play quietly,
Not do a bloody war dance."
But I was told to play in the garden
I was too much trouble inside."
"We meant for you to play on the lawn
Those flowers were mother's pride."
I watched all this in silence
Not my place to interfere
When you speak to autistic kids
Make your meaning very clear.
They see the world quite differently
Their values, either black, or white
No shades of grey are understood
Try hard as well they might.
They inherit a brain disfunction,
I found to my surprise
They see the same world as I do
But they see it with different eyes.
Author notes
User; Rbruce ; Quote; To me the outside world is a totally baffling incomprehensible mayhem that terrifies me. It is a meaningless mass of sights and sounds, noises and movements, coming from nowhere,going nowhere. Ros Blackburn. The Poem is about Autism coupled with ADHD, lung disfunction and asthma. Quite a lot for a small boy.
A contest entry
- ~Autism - Seeing The World Differently~ by Fug-azi.
1600 points, ended August 1, 2008, 4 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Am I crazy? {Options!!} by sins and sorrow.
575 points, ended August 3, 2008, 27 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Behaviors... (2) by JM Kenyon.
900 points, ended August 30, 2008, 7 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
My grandson was diagnosed as autistic among other things
Comments
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A good one Bob. What is abnormal for some is normal for others. Happy trails
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The trick is for everyone to recognise that what appears as different to most is normal for the rest. Recognition of 'normality' helps avoid a lot of confrontations, even if that'normality' is so out of whack to us.
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This is a lovely poem, a thoughful and caring look at a disorder of the mind that affects many children, leaving them feeling alienated. There is so much wisdom in your final two lines, very well done!
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I learned from my grandson that he looked at things with"different Eyes" during my close association with him. He explained to how he interpreted what was actually said to mean exactly that. If you told to take a 'running jump,'that is precisely what he would do.
He was a wonderful little boy. Thank you for your generous comment,and understanding of his problems.
Cheers
Bob
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This poem was gorgous! I loved the rhyme, the subject and the third person view of what was happening. I agree that a lot of people don't understand these thos e with autism, and need to take a long hard look at how they interact with them. A friend of mine had a son like that and he was a handful but a wonderful person. well done on this one, Bob. It is special!
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I just put my reply in the comment box and had to delete it. My mind is out to lunch, I think.I really apprecite comments that tell me why a poem is good, bad, or indifferent. It helps me to focus on details for the next one. Thank you for being that way.
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So true this write is
Yes we must all see the children of the world is cared for and helped where the help is so needed . Bless his heart he had done what he was told to do yet no one went out to see what and where he had gone .Its not his fault at all
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It is the children who suffer most in many sitations. It is grossly unfair but that is how it is. Regretably the situation will not change much until we get back to caring for each other no matter what colour our skin is or what our beliefs are. Your comments are greatly appreciated,thank you.
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Beautiful!
So insightful and exactly what I was going for here!
Love the very last stanza and how it creates such a powerful statement!
I am adding autism as an option because I didn't even think of that one when listing them! Thanks for creating an option!
Thanks for entering and good luck!
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The insight is from minding my grandson who had autistic tendencies as well as other things. Life is not easy for anyone but for someone who is 'different', it is a nightmare. It is also a big learning experience for the carers and families of those afflicted. Thank you so much for your support.
Bob
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Dear Bob, I understand how hard it was for you to write for this contest and my I say that you make your points poetically. I like the stance you took, you reveal the complexity of the situation which is far from simple, your simple delivery is effective and I particularly like the last stanza, it ties up the poem with a strong ending and a great soundbite which is easy for the reader to understand and remember. Different Eyes indeed.
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There is a sensitive, beautiful man in our family who is autistic, too. He struggles daily to keep his world in precise order, right down to the silverware in his kitchen. I am touched that you write of this. I feel the compassion and sadness in this well written poem about your grandson.
This leads me to consider the reasons for some of the disabilities and diseases in our world. I don't like the inescapable conclusions....
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We, the humans of this world, are responsible for such diseases and disabilities. Our experts say they are trying to find cures etc, but I feel they would be better employed finding out the exact causes. I have come to grips with the death of my grandson but it took a few years. Thank you for your thoughts and your empathy.
I just wish that there was some way for the general population in our world to understand autism, in all its forms, and give a little extra consideration to those who act "differently"
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Well said, as usual!!
"They see the same world as I do
But they see it with different eyes."
It can be a tough world for some.
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Experience has taught me that normal has many connotations. For one who is autistic normal may seem weird to others. Not until you live with it, do you get an inkling of understanding.
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wow
you have such wonderful work....i love reading your poems
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Thank you for your support. This poem is real and very close to me.
Cheers, Bob.
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