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Open Poetry #5
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My Autistic Son (A Petrarchan Sonnet -- Repost from CA)
| Open Poetry #5 |
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My Autistic Son (A Petrarchan Sonnet -- Repost from CA) |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash 
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Autistic shackles hold your little tongue From telling me the punch line of the joke That caused your fits of laughter to provoke Excited happy tears. You’ve never sung Your fav'rite Barney song and, when you clung To me that winter night when you awoke To bitter, fearful sobs, you never spoke A word of what tormented one so young. Although autistic shackles bind his speech, His love is blazoned on his beaming smile. Although I missed the punch line of that jest, I laughed myself to happy tears. And each Dark night when he awakes and fears defile His sleep, in Daddy’s arms he finds his rest. --- *A Petrarchan Sonnet has a rhyme scheme of (usually) abbaabba cdecde. The first eight lines present a problem or argument and the final six the resolution. Jim "If I rest, I rust." - Martin Luther |
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| © Copyright 1999 Jim Bouder - All Rights Reserved | |||
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
Superb!!! HUGS Don't ask me where I'm going, just listen when I'm gone and far away you'll hear me singing softly to the dawn. |
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Echo Rhayne Senior Member
since 1999-09-17
Posts 1495Canyon Country, CA |
This is beautiful, and very touching...especially to me! Great job! ~*~ Hell is not a place of fire and a devil with a tail and horns. But a place of torment because the light of God is gone. To escape this, accept the blood of Jesus Christ! ~*~ |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Great job, J-with the sonnet and the raising of your son. Just beautiful. Elizabeth Nail to the mast her holy flag, Set every threadbare sail- And give her to the god of storms, The lightning and the gale! -Oliver Wendell Holmes |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Beautiful poem, Jim and beautiful love! Denise |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Oh, Jim ... I could just hug your neck for this one. Worked with an autistic child for four years and could see him in your poem. A wonderful reminder of his need for hugs ... and my need to give them to him. Bless you ... bless your son. Love ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ [email protected] |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
This is so beautifully done and so full of the love and understanding of your son. In the dew of little things, the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. (ee cummings) |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
There is so much love in this poetry, not to mention that it's a beautiful poem unto itself. Congratulations on many counts! Liz |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Nice one.... and in iambic pentameter too...  |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
Your devotion is the true poetry here, to my way of thinking. ('tis not to say that the poem isn't grand...it surely is!) |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Wonderful! Well wrought - well thought. I like this. K |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Thanks, everyone, for your kind replies. And, Nan, of course it's in iambic pentameter. I wouldn't want to disappoint my teachers.  Jim "If I rest, I rust." - Martin Luther |
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U K Hero Member
since 1999-08-08
Posts 266England |
Top notch and so to the top you go. |
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
So very moving Jim....a beautiful tribute of a special love between father and son Wonderful..... A soul that writes from the heart and shares it, truly gives a gift extraordinaire! Shannon |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I've often said I read poetry with my heart and not my head. No matter what form this is in, it's a wonderful poem! There is so much love in it! Thank you...  |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Thanks guys. While this is at the top I don't have to feel guilty over replying to my own post. Poet deVine: I'm on a crusade, of sorts, to prove that head and heart are not necessarily divorced. By your reaction I suspect I'm getting my point across. Thanks for the fine compliment. Jim "If I rest, I rust." - Martin Luther |
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Willem Member
since 1999-11-18
Posts 139Inverness, FL, USA |
Jim, don't change anything in this poem! It's beautiful the way it is. We don't let the shape of a bottle of wine intrude on our enjoyment of the content, do we? A beautiful poem tends to very fragile and may easily loose some of its impact, its evocative power if tinkered with by others than the poet himself. My wife and I were very moved upon reading it, because we sometimes took care of two autistic children for friends of us, so they could have some respite from their constant daily cares. We loved those kids as much as our own, and we understand what you must now be going through. We are praying for you and your son. Willem |
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wayoutwalt Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870TEXAS (it's all big) |
wow man i could never do anythin like this pack a punch and deliver it in style o yuh! |
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Rosemary J. Gwaltney Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997northern mountains, Idaho |
Wonderful poem! A loving tribute to a dear little boy. While most would say he is lucky to have you for a daddy, and so would I, yet, I would add, I can see he is a gift to you as well ... seeing your love for him! My own child who has a disability has taught me more about life and love than anyone else. ...Living is ever like crossing rivers; finding a new life on each shore ... RJG |
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Isis Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296Sunny Queensland |
Jim a beautiful job here, and I must say you sound like a beautiful man to me, inside where love and caring and fatherhood count. God bless and Happy New Year hon At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet. (Plato) ~Isis~ (Daughter of Mystery) |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
An endeavor most worthy in both skill and emotion. Well done Jim. --Kess You cannot choose the way of your death, but the path you choose will determine its own end. |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
I want to thank everyone again for your kind and encouraging comments. I must admit that I had no idea that this poem would have the impact on others that it evidently had. I am gladdened on two counts: (1) that I can write a sonnet (something the Forum taught me to do correctly ... must mean its working ), and (2) that others could be encouraged by my experiences with my oldest son.Most of us, I think, write poetry to give our thoughts, feelings and experiences and home. It is an added blessing when others are encouraged or inspired by our poetry. My oldest son is 4-1/2 years old and is autistic. He rarely uses language practically and has never spoken in a complete sentence, sung his favorite song, or told me what was going on in his own little world. We actually compliment each other quite well, considering I don't know when to shut up. But dispite all of this, we still have a wonderful connection (I assume this was communicated well enough in the sonnet). I am convinced that any parent would feel the same way and do the same things under similar circumstances if they let themselves love their child(ren). Thanks again, all of you, for your comments. < !signature--> Jim "If I rest, I rust." - Martin Luther [This message has been edited by jbouder (edited 12-31-1999).] |
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Richard Junior Member
since 1999-12-27
Posts 35California |
Absolutely beautiful, Jim. Can feel your thoughts as I read. Thank you |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
This is precious....I enjoyed reading this!! Your little guy sounds like a cutie!! Take Care Bridgette Creation of woman from the rib of Man: She was not made from his head to top him; nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him; but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved." |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
I remember reading this in CA. Excellent sonnet, Jim! Denise |
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