Spectrum

He doesn’t,

won’t,

can’t shut up,

can’t stop

the words from leaving him,

the awkward laugh,

the nasal voice,

and nobody’s listening,

but he just can’t stop.

This one does it,

too,

these young men

watched over by their older fathers,

these boys who act so young

but are probably older than we think.

He only knows a few words:

“toilet,” “water,” “yes,”

and he drinks any liquid in sight,

yet his bald patch shines through

his mussed hair he cannot care for himself.

She shakes her head in

delighted vigor,

balancing unbalanced,

comforting discomfited.

She splashes her hands and

screams in glee,

but all too eager to swallow tiny toys.

Reviews

[Rene Salinas]

I have had experiences with people that carry this "pathology" so to speak. When I read the description it became evidently clear the type of person he could have been or is. The sort to have wide open eyes yet they never look at yours as if something would happen if they did. Messy hair -- quirky moevments and at times "a splash of genius" out of nowhere. In the end very soon the pathological side of the label dissapears and you are left with the intricacies of a human being, a special kind even.

A windows onto a person with very secial needs.

Thank You.

[Fire Mage Andrea]

I was expecting this to be about colours, then instead it was about something else entirely.
it's interesting how you word the poem - I take it it's about people with disabilities? Sorry, I'm not trying to be rude, it's just I'm not sure how to put it.
It's really good though.

[DaughterNature]

No, no, it's not rude -- autism spectrum disorders are technically considered developmental disabilities, so you're not wrong.

[Cory Barrett]

I can only appoint this to feeling that I have when i watch my two small children play. I love the cadence of the first half, if I read quickly it feels adolescent and fun. Slowly and it feels emotional and methodic.

[DaughterNature]

Thank you! Like the poem says, even if the high-functioning boys may annoy me with their incessant babbling, the girl I mention brought me nothing but joy when I worked with her.

[Chained Potential]

I spent a while reading your poetry. You're very good! I picked this as my favorite. I've worked in the special needs field for a while now and this captures so many moments just perfectly. Well done!

[DaughterNature]

Wow, thank you so much! I hope I was able to convey the affection I feel for my former students, even if they do make life exciting!

[Einstein Noodle]

oooooo going to have to come back and read in a different state of mind ... i am missing something .. i started reading and at first was thinking of a grown man .. but not sure that is correct ..could be a baby .. hm have to come back ..i sense i am missing something deeper .. so you have me hooked for sure :)
E.

[DaughterNature]

Haha, yeah, the title gives a hint to the secret behind the story. And yes, the "hims" are all at least 25 years old, if not older.

[Einstein Noodle]

that helps .. certainly there are diverse values expressed .. and the woman tightrope walking and the men hint at abuse (to me) the splashing of hands and gleeful screams suggest a little girl ignoring inner strengths .. plays into the abuse with " ...all too eager to swallow tiny toys." but i think i am still stretching .. by the way ..i have not said that i like this one ..obviously i do ..it is engaging and difficult
E.

[DaughterNature]

Wait, tightrope walking? No, no, I think perhaps I should make myself more clear: "spectrum" refers to the Autism spectrum, and these are some of the individuals I have known or taught who fall somewhere on the spectrum. But thanks all the same!

[Einstein Noodle]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! spectrum has many meanings .. autism being one.. i am familiar with these beautiful children .. have not known adults with autism ... much easier to understand knowing .. :)
E.