Poem for World Autism Acceptance Day 2012

This is a poem I wrote 13 years ago.  I don't much care for polemical poetry and seldom write it but this wrote itself.  (Plus, it's always satisfying to have a pop at the Daily Mail!)  I am reposting it for World Autism Acceptance Day 2012 which is today.

Back then I could never have known how well things would turn out for my two autists.  They were written off at the ages of four and three.  'No functioning intelligence,' said one White Coat. 'They'll never learn to speak.'  But they are both warm, creative and talkative people with hearts full of love.  I couldn't be prouder of them.

                 
                 Cut Out and Keep 

Already you test me with questions.

But how to explain the inexplicable

in ways you’ll understand?

I have no glib replies.

You bear off my inadequate words

in your hands

to look at, sniff and taste.

Meanwhile I ponder

what I’m not going to tell you –

how in years gone by

they’d have burnt you as witches

or left you to wolves

or the mental asylum,

simply because you’re you.

And I compare this

with latter-day attitudes:

patronising Daily Mail articles

re the latest miracle cure

that works for (a few of)

the Poor Brave Victims

they would deem you.

But we know

there’s no bravery

in no choice.

And so I love this otherness,

as much a part of you

as your scent and skin and smiles

and this is why

I do not wish you otherwise.

© Deborah Harvey 1999, 2012