I wish People Could See

This is a little different format than I usually write. I was tired and was having a particular difficult day at work. I was frustrated in my interactions with people and I just started writing this poem in my mind. By the end of the work day, I had written this poem in the Notes app on my phone. In the poem I talk about the frustrations of having High Functioning Autism. I look and act completely “normal” but inside I’m struggling. For those of you not on the Spectrum, I hope this’ll give you some insight. And for those of you on the Spectrum, do my words also resonate with you?

I wish people could see

That it’s hard but I’m trying.

I wish people could see

That I’m smart but I think visually.

I wish people could see

That I’m trying my best to be kind and respectful but speaking with grace is difficult for me.

I wish people could see

That I am funny and witty but I process things slower.

I wish people could see

That I have special needs but I am no more special than they.

I am who God made me to be.

But people can’t see.

Because people don’t understand.