Autos

Flapping her hands to rhythm of the breeze
Rocking’s graceful dance; bare tiptoe feet
Head bopping side to side; pure ecstasy
She sees the world in wonder’s frequency

Dark clouds descend; anxiety floods face
Mum stands to attention; concerned, makes haste
Hands clasping ears; the playground’s now too loud
Chanting guttural groans from wordless mouth

Mum plans her next move, not sure of what to do
Groans become screams; frantic cries ensue
Girl drops to knees; head bangs the gravelled floor 
Mum cradles her head; knuckles bruised and sore

Frenzied girl attacks, clawing and biting
Mum keeps her calm and gently starts to sing
Teeth and nails draw blood; trickles down Mum’s arm
Undeterred, tries to keep her child from harm 

Onlookers unkind whispers fill the air
Horrified faces... in disgust, all stare
Other parents can’t believe what they see
Girl rips out Mum’s hair, then bites her own knee

Mum grabs her keys and jingles them up high
Spellbound girl stops; a tear escapes Mum’s eye 
Baby bottle of milk given to appease
Tittering judgements as girl is thirteen 

Mum doesn’t react, she’s heard it all before
She’s just grateful for now that peace is restored
Storm lifts from girl’s face; sunrise smile returns 
Twirling, unencumbered, spinning-top turns 

Autism was derived from Greek - ‘autos’
Ironic, it means - ‘total self focus’
We’re actually all the same, not different
Made of light and energy... love’s current 

We all have unique traits and have our quirks 
We all struggle at times, have things which irk 
So why don’t we support and empathise 
Apathy... civilisation’s demise 

© Debbie Razey 2022 - Violet Moon Poetry & Photo