What is it like…a poem for Autism Awareness Month

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Bryan Ens's avatarQuest for Whirled Peas

what is it like to quail at touch
to feel discomfort from seams and itch from tags?
what is it like to feel trapped
from noise or crowds?
what is it like to scream in pain
when a room goes from dark to light?
what is it like
to be fixated on one thing
to the exclusion of almost everything else?
what is it like
to fear looking someone in the eye?
what is it like to be called names
by those who choose not to understand
that you are just as valuable as them?

what is it like to see the world
in such a unique, profound and simple way
that sometimes I am staggered by your brilliance?

~~

In addition to being (Inter)National Poetry Writing Month, April is also Autism Awareness Month. Today is “inside out shirt day” – a day that everyone is encouraged to wear their…

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Ethics Overlooked

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You want to shoot foxes
and don’t care about rescuing old, tired donkeys.
You see starving children on TV,
and your heart doesn’t skip a beat.

But when that person sings,
you know who I mean,
your heart opens,
and you get a little teary-eyed.

It takes all kinds
of people and animals
to create this
world of variety we call home!

Even though you want to shoot foxes
and don’t care about rescuing old, tired donkeys,
you’re one of the good ones!
And I love you for it!

—
For NaPoWriMo day 3, I’m reminded there’s all manner of good in this world! Just because people care about different things than we do, doesn’t make them lesser people. You never know… Sometimes we can even learn to love them! 😀

Message in a Bottle

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Kenny had a bottle
of soda sweet and fine,
a hard-to-find glass bottle
that made it look like wine.

We laughed each time my little boy
watched him pop the cap.
And now with Kenny gone beyond,
I smile looking back.

I buy myself a bottle
of soda for old times;
My son remembers opening
A bottle of that kind.

My heart can hear the message,
A little bitter-sweet:
Though Kenny may have gone away,
One day beyond, we’ll meet.

And there may be a bottle
of soda sweet and fine,
A new and shining bottle
Of heaven’s perfect wine.

—
NaPoWriMo day 2/30, in memory of Kenny.

Shared at
dVerse OpenLinkNight #193.

Related

Elegy to a Loved One

Guard YourHeart

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If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”
So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
–Matthew 15:11, 15-18 (NKJV)

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
–Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
–Philippians 4:7 (NKJV)

Guard Your Heart – Lyrics

Instrument: Tempo – Seagull Excursion Folk Acoustic Guitar

1. The heart is a place where we hide things.
It uses the mouth to speak.
And sooner or later it’s going to tell
Every secret that we keep.
Refrain:

2. It isn’t the things that we’re eating
Or those we have heard and seen,
But all the hard feelings we push down inside
Are destroying you and me.
Refrain:

3. Be mindful of what you are saying,
The words that you think and speak,
For every word has the power to hurt
Or to plant a loving seed.
Refrain: (Twice)

The heart is a place where we hide things.

Refrain:
[So] hide, hide within you the word of life.
And guard, guard your heart in the peace of Christ.

Related

Heartsong

Heart-image

There Shall Your Heart Be

Funny Money

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O this poem is hellishly funny,
And so is the state of my money.
I tell you I’m broke,
And it isn’t a joke,
But it costs not a thing to be sunny! 🙂

—
Happy April Fools! No pranks today, but too late I remembered NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month) and wasn’t going to miss the first day… Especially given another great
Limerick
opportunity! May my offerings only improve from now on!

A Hummingbird Visits

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I saw it
I smelled it
I knew what it was…
Hovering hovering,
My wings going BUZZ!

The flower
The color
A nectar so sweet…
But what of this other?
Taking a treat?

I heard it
I felt it
I didn’t know why…
The music had drawn me
From searching the sky.

I found it
I passed it
Without any harm…
The red head kept making
The music of song.

I saw it
I smelled it
I knew what it was…
Hovering hovering,
My wings going BUZZ!

—
An experience I’ve never forgotten, written from the hummingbird’s perspective. For
dVerse Poetics.

Airborne Quandary

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PSST…
Come closer…
Closer…
Don’t tell anyone…
I am full of hot air.
The less I speak,
the more I have.
What a quandary!
I won’t waste it
spreading gossip like the plague.
So I channel it
into balloons,
contaminating everyone
with colorful wishes!

—
My response to De’s “balloon” Quadrille prompt. Come join us, read, write, and comment at
dVerse,
where all are welcome!

There Shall Your Heart Be

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If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
–Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [emphasis added]
–Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)

There Shall Your Heart Be – Lyrics

Instrument: Tempo – Seagull Excursion Folk Acoustic Guitar

A.
Whatsoever things are true,
Whatsoever things are honest,
Whatsoever things are just and pure,
Whatsoever lovely things,
If there’s any praise or virtue,
Whatsoever things of good report,
Think, think on these things.

Repeat A.

B.
[And] hide them in your heart
As treasure buried deep,
For where your treasure is,
There shall your heart also be.

Repeat A and B.

Repeat B.

There shall your heart also be. (2x).

A Little Love

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If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

This song was written for Dominic Sweetman, who gave me a challenge. He wanted a story, and I said I could write one, but not instead of a song. We decided on a story-song containing a broomstick, a happy smile, and a wheelbarrow. We agreed it turned out well, so I’m sharing it here. 🙂

Also shared at
dVerse OpenLinkNight #192.

Instrument: Tempo – Seagull Excursion Folk Acoustic Guitar

1. I used to ride my broomstick
Through the country and the town,
Laughing at the couples
And wearing a big frown.
A wheelbarrow of past regrets,
It followed me around.
The streets were paved with sorrow
For the love I never found.

2. Till one fine day a man appeared
With a brilliant, shining smile.
He asked, “Why do you look so sad?
Let’s sit and talk awhile.”
My wheelbarrow he filled with dreams
And lightened every mile.
On roads of possibility
We travel side by side.
Refrain:

3. He swept me off my broomstick,
And I don’t miss it at all.
My feet are in the clouds;
It doesn’t matter if I fall.
I wear a happy smile
As I laugh and have a ball.
My wheelbarrow is filled with love
I share with one and all.
Refrain: (Twice)

O isn’t it amazing
What a little love,
A little love,
A little love can do!

Refrain:
My heart is open, I see hope and
Sparkles of the truth.
O isn’t it amazing
What a little love,
A little love,
A little love can do!

Solar Power Song

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(The Sun Will Rise Again)

If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

Instrument: Brio – Red Cedar Concert Ukulele

1. God put the sun in the sky, high,
Dividing the day from the night light.
Darkness so deep doesn’t fly by,
But the sun will rise again.
Refrain:

2. When you don’t feel the love above,
All that you know is the push and shove.
Dark is the soul till the dawn comes,
When the sun will rise again.
Refrain:

3. Christ is the Son in the sky, high,
And shining in you as a light so bright.
Ask him to see with a sight, right,
That the sun will rise again.
Refrain:

‘Cause You will see the sun again,
No matter what and where you’ve ever been.
You know it can’t be hidden long,
So sing your solar power song!

Refrain:
You will see the sun again,
No matter what and where you’ve been.
You know it can’t be hidden long,
So sing your solar power song!