Special

In elementary school,
We were taught that the word Special
Was used to talk about special needs kids.
Because using the word “Retarded” was mean.
They had labels put on doors that said ‘Special Ed’
They separated us for half the day,
My classmates from my other classmates.
It was like segregation only this time we didn’t use color pigments
We used chromosomes.
This kid had one too many
This one had one too less
This kid had the right amount.
26 was the perfect number
26 chromosomes
26 letters in the alphabet
26 students in the classroom
But only 21 stayed.

We got stickers that said, “You’re Special.”
We got our papers stamped with “Great!”
In elementary school I had come too hate
The word “Special.”
Special kids got treated differently than the rest.
Teachers welcomed them with open arms,
Soft words, kindness.
Other “normal” kids isolated them because they were special.
And that’s something I never understand.
I don’t understand how it is that we can isolate them.
Every living thing needs love, whether it be human or animal,
Boy or girl, special or normal, usual or unusual.

There is a game that we’ve played and it goes like this:
We look into his eyes and there are tears behind Eric’s glasses.
And they laugh at him and I just watch them call him
“Retard!”
And even though these kids haven’t learned all the bad words
And smart comebacks.
They know something else,
They know….
Honesty