Topic: What you see.
no photo
Tue 07/19/11 08:22 AM
Edited by Alterette on Tue 07/19/11 08:23 AM
(Yes, it's a poem but about being the parent of a special needs child).

What You See.

It's just a trip to the store
You want to pick up a few things
Pay, and rush back home
To watch TV.

A noisy muffler while we were leaving
And now my child is screaming
Thrashing on the ground
as I try to calm her down.

You look at me with disgust.
I hear, "Can't you shut that kid up?"
And, "Spoiled, no doubt."
"She just needs a good spanking."

You don't see what I see:
The terror in her eyes.
You don't know what I know:
It's like a seizure
She can't control it
Or make it release her.

You don't see how she clings to me
Even while she kicks.
I ignore your nasty looks.
I must make her look at me
To see in my eyes that it will pass...

Why can't you see her tears?
That she screams with pain
Each sound a bomb exploding.
She doesn't understand
And I can't explain.

My child is autistic.
It's not an excuse.
Too bad you're so quick to judge
And in too much of a hurry
To know the truth.

She's finally coming back to Earth.
So take your looks - your words
And leave us alone.
Show's over now.
You can go home.