WHILE YOU WERE STARING

By Jessica Hill


While you were staring
you could have picked up my purse.
I dropped it while my son was crying.

And while you’re at it,
could you muster a smile,
because my son is really trying.

While you are huffing
and rolling your eyes,
could you understand that
loud noises catch him by surprise.

While you were judging
my parenting skills,
you failed to realize
how my son really feels.

While you were whispering
“that child is a brat”,
You missed what
caused him to behave like that.

If you would stop
and take a minute
to open your mind,
a child who is lost
in a world of sounds, sights, and smells
is what you would find.

Lending your hand or an understanding smile
would make the life easier
for someone raising
an autistic child.