see the me that’s me

I wrote this poem while doing some research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD or Asperger’s Syndrome), and I think it probably expresses the feelings of many of us who are differently wired.

see the me that’s me

© 2018 punkie

see the me that’s me

don’t stuff me in your boxes,
or label me with tags,
help me lift my banner
and fly own true flag

don’t chop me into pieces
and give each one a name
say i’m just like joan of arc
who ended up in flames

don’t hide me in a closet
that’s not where I belong
i’m not afraid of stigma
i know how to be strong

don’t call me something that I’m not,
or bind me with your ties
ask what we can do instead
to break free from the lies

don’t say that i am lesser than
or that my brain is borked
cuz when i’m treated like a child
my anger gets uncorked

i’m just as bright as anyone
maybe even brighter
other people like myself
are geeks & stars & writers

so what if i say quirky stuff
that others don’t quite get?
or step on toes and make
mistakes in social etiquette

see me for the me that’s me,
work with what I’ve got,
mitigate the flaws i have
treat me like you ought

my brain is wired in different ways,
it’s not that I’m a freak,
hold my hand and walk with me,
to find that which we seek