The brook would lose its song if we removed the rocks. 

Be a life long or short, its completeness depends on what it was lived for. -- David Starr Jordan

OTHER INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS AT:

Power Of One

Be a life long or short

Don't Mourn For Us

Encouragement By The Window

I Am the Child

It's Up To You

Special Education from A to Z

Just One Person

Tears of Laughter - Tears of Pain

The Blind Men and the Elephant

The Tip

When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world

You See What

Other inspirational poetry at:

http://www.jhu.edu/netverse/home.html

Our mission at Autism Netverse is to provide and opportunity for individuals with autism to be heard. We strive to increase the awareness of autism worldwide, inspire more individuals with autism to express themselves, and celebrate the literary and artistic work of individuals with autism.

I WAS LIKE YOU.......ONCE

if you see me

at the supermarket,

and my child is

screaming,

rolling on the floor

with anger seeping from his pores.

please don't blame me,

I was like you once,

If you are in a restaurant

and my child

throws food and it

hits you in the face,

please, don't be angry,

I can't handle any more rage.

If you see my child

climbing over

a very tall fence

with nothing on

except his hat.

Please don't call the police,

I only looked away for a minute.

If you see me

crying, as you

pull up next to me

at a stop light.

at a busy intersection.

Honk and smile, I need a friend.

If you see me,

running down the street

with curlers in my hair

chasing a small child

who runs so fast, I can't catch him

Help me chase him down.

If my child grabs

your child, or pushes him

or bites or

kicks him, or

says words that make your hair curl.

Please forgive him, and me too.

If you happen to

see us, walking

in your neighborhood,

or in the malls,

or at the park

Please don't turn away,

I was like you once.

Walk with me.....

Walk in my shoes

for one single day.

Then you'll see why

I need to pray.

Come live in my home

for a week or two

and then remember

I am just like you.

I didn't ask for the things I was given

I didn't choose this road I have taken

Walk a mile with me hand in hand

Then perhaps you will understand.

I'm not really complaining

about the stress in my life,

I know that we all have

some toil and some strife.

But walk with me, when you think

I am wrong, walk with me

and you'll start to belong.

Embrace my sorrows,

like they are your own,

And then you will know me

And see I have grown.

The journey I take

is different from yours

My life took one of those

unexpected detours,

But this road that I travel

is not really so long,

If the people who watch me

will join in my song.

Listen to my footsteps

and watch how I dance

And then you will know me

and give me a chance.

Take heart and remember

It can happen to you,

who knows where my pathway

will cross over to you?

So speak to me softly

if you can't understand

Remember I once stood

right there where you stand.

And walk with me gently

when the day is at end.

And then I will know

I can call you my friend.