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Open Poetry #43
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Sweet Autistic Child
| Open Poetry #43 |
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Sweet Autistic Child |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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Sweet Autistic Child You were born with such a perfect little face, a perfect nose Ten perfect little fingers and ten tiny little toes But growing into childhood, your little life unfurled On an island in the sea, in your little hidden world I‘m knocking on a special secret door Where I have knocked a hundred times before You have a secret garden on an island in the sea And sweet autistic child, you are hiding there from me There are elephants and dinosaurs and a little bear named Pooh Do you understand that they have come to play with you? Your playground’s like a castle anchored on the shifting sand But in your castle, you know things that we don’t understand I’m knocking on a special secret door Where I have knocked a hundred times before Let me step into your world, so you can enter into mine If you’re not ready, it’s alright. I’ll knock another time I wish you could express the thoughts that turn inside your mind It seems with each step forward there’s another step behind Each new surprise to fill our eyes is waiting ‘round the bend And through it all, you’re teaching us what we don’t comprehend I’m standing here outside your garden wall And you are there, but do not hear me call Don’t ever think that you will be alone forever more For sweet autistic child, God is walking through your door Do you understanding these whispering words that settle in your ear? Do you ever realize how much I want to hold you near? And do you know the meaning of this tender little touch? Sweet autistic child, It means I love you very much Elizabeth Santos |
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| © Copyright 2008 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
How extremely touching, dear Elizabeth. I am pausing a while to reach out in thought with an embrace for you and this sweet autistic child. I am sure there are perceptions that capture your love and allow it to expand within this little heart. A wonderful write, that won't be forgotten quickly. Love, Margherita |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I have a grandson, Elizabeth, who the school system wanted to name "autistic"; and now they've named him "aucentrensic" which basically means, he'll come into his own, in time. We're so quick to name our children, and yet, I understand this poem so well. I never knew, in my own time, of such names; we were either "quick or slow" and we moved on. And the most of us succeeded in some way or another. My heart is to this child; may he always know the sweetness of your smile. |
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GG Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532Lost in thought |
Wow, this is so perfect. I've known autistic children, and it can be so painful to sit beside them and just have no clue what is happening within their minds... whether they are feeling pain, joy, love, or fear. But there is something so special about them and their sweet simplicity and innocent smiles. Your love shines through here in this beaitiful write.  ~alyssa Hupomeno. |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
good read |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Elizabeth, you are an angel! This beautiful poem shows just how you have been sent to help this child - and others - to learn to open up to the world. I loved how you suggested that there is a world inside that little head and how you said that that autistic child is teaching you. Those are very interesting and heart-warming concepts. The more I think about it, the more I realise the possibility that there are trapped thoughts - of wonder or turmoil - inside an autistic child's head that need to escape. Wonderful poem, too, Elizabeth. Thank you for your wonderful, caring work with the children. - Owl |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Dear Lizzie, you truly are the sweetest person - yes you are! I have lately seen with diet changes some autistic children unlocking the door to their world and entering ours. A great example is Evan. He is the little man that shares a life with Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy. Jenny is now just an icon to mothers of autistic children. You dear lady have always been my "icon." Bless you dear friend. |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Elizabeth, This is fine work. It reminds me of an autistic cousin. He was always a sweet kid, and a lovely cousin. Bobby |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
"Your playground’s like a castle anchored on the shifting sand But in your castle, you know things that we don’t understand" This is a beautiful poetic description of autism. For us to be able to see the world through their window pane, and they from ours....that would be to reach the mountaintop of human connectedness. |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
I think what struck me is how filled with love you are. If an autistic child chose a family - I bet yours would be chosen. Maybe that is what happened, maybe he knew that you would knock gently at that door and know that he was in there. beautiful, just heart touching beautiful. Alison |
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