THE PRISONER

Louis Gibbs

Bless these innocent souls

We cannot relate to,

Exiled to a world they

Cannot be part of ...

Sentenced at birth

Without cause or trial,

Doomed to a life of

Virtual imprisonment.

 

Subjected to pain

Of insidious nature

By constant assault of

Their body's own senses,

How could it be cause

Just knowing a world

Outside that if ours for

Such a cruel sentence?

 

What is this strange realm

That they inhabit ...

Intriguing to us, for

From their ranks come

Gifts of pure genius that

Should earn one parole?

Yet these guiltless condemned

Will never know freedom.

 

For these so imprisoned

There is no escape,

Nor will some know,

In their solitary world,

The simple joy

Of human connection.

These souls are prisoners

Of the autism spectrum.

 

  • Author: Louis Gibbs (Offline Offline)
  • Published: June 23rd, 2017 08:28
  • Comment from author about the poem: Autism is a subject near and dear to my heart, as I have spent my life with undiagnosed (until recently) Asperger's Syndrome ... 'High Functioning Autism.' I've always known that I was somehow 'different', but didn't understand why. Asperger's often carries with it the same symptoms and traits as autism, including hypersensitivity of all the physical senses ... which can present as painful, shattering, sensory overload at worst, or simply extreme discomfort at best ... as well as deficiency in social filters. Some of our most famous and creative people have shared this condition, (Google it). There has been no cure found to date.
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 52
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Comments10

  • Grant Degnan

    Very cool

    • Louis Gibbs

      Thank you for appreciating it, Grant

    • P.H.Rose

      Brilliant love this....

      • Louis Gibbs

        Thank you so much for this wonderful comment, P.H..

      • Michael Edwards

        And still there is so much to learn about autism - I have a family member who is very badly affected and I just look forward to the day when it will be more understood and society is more tolerant.

        • Louis Gibbs

          It is a cruel affliction which many must live with until a cure is found. Thank you so much for your comment and your understanding, Michael.

        • malubotelho

          Thank you for this poem with a porpoise. Great writing.

          • Louis Gibbs

            Your lovely comment is much appreciated, malubotelho! Very kind.

            • malubotelho

              Always welcome.

            • Heather T

              I have so many friends with children all over the spectrum. They're a light and a joy!

              • Louis Gibbs

                Indeed they are, and a wide spectrum it is with many manifestations. It is a difficult road they travel, and my heart goes out to them all.

              • FredPeyer

                Thank you for sharing this with us, Grant. I can imagine that it has not been easy. But now a door has been opened to your "solitary world". Through your wonderful poems you do connect to all your readers.

                • Louis Gibbs

                  What a truly gracious comment, Fred! I can't thank you enough. You have confirmed the decision to share my world.

                • Goldfinch60

                  Very good write. Those with autism can surprise us with what they can sometimes achieve.

                  • Louis Gibbs

                    You are so right. Many attributed with Asperger's have been creative geniuses, such as Mozart, Einstein, and other names known to all. Thanks for your input!

                  • BRIAN & ANGELA

                    Thanks you LOUIS for a very beautiful ~ yet poignant ~ poem about the "mental imprisonment" of those born in the "autism spectrum". We have "Specific Needs" students at College ~ some with "Autism" and some with "Aspergers" the Staff and students are very understanding and give them lots of TLC ~ they are gifted in the visual & performing arts and other creative areas. My poem today is about the fact that GOD knows and understands each of us ! Society is made up of a wide spectrum of people ~ each of us have SPECIFIC GIFTS and SPECIFIC NEEDS which enrich Society and generate Love & Understanding. My Maternal Grandfather was Blind which gave me an early understanding and appreciation of all (so called) disabilities. I was a Governor of a main-stream Comprehensive School (11 - 16) and we have many pupils who are "statemented" with a range of "specific needs". Some of our pupils are registered as "Downs Syndrome" and they give the School a lot more "Love & Joy" that we could ever give them. In the UK there is a big emphasis of "inclusion" for Children & Adults (with Specific Needs) in the Community. Thanks for caring & sharing ~ BRIAN

                    • Louis Gibbs

                      Thank you for your understanding and appreciation of those specially challenged children and young adults, Briansodes. Some of them are quite amazing in what they are capable of accomplishing, aren't they!

                    • Renzi

                      Yow wrote it perfectly.

                      • Louis Gibbs

                        Thank you, dear Renzi! I suspect that you can relate.

                      • sue.evans

                        Written from the heart! Bitter sweet!

                        • Louis Gibbs

                          Indeed it was, and your appreciation touches me, Sue!



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