Division Street
This poem is for Autism Awareness month, which is in April each year.
Link to the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network with more information.
Division Street
A street divides her thoughts from her lips,
I see my reflection in the puddle of her eyes;
Still innocent to the decorated world around her,
Averting the sunshine of the faces in her skies.
Her smile shines on her colorful creations,
Her imagination holds the key to wonderland,
She cradles the many characters with care —
So please, imagine holding me in your hand.
Hush my sweet baby, I’ll sing you a lullaby,
Dream, I dream of the day we sing your song;
Hush my sweet baby, I’ll sing you a lullaby,
Dream, dream of the day we sing your song.
Her sweet, sweet hum echoes into my heart
As exploration takes her from dolls to doors,
From goldfish to gates, from swings to the stars,
Taking big, big steps gazing up from the floor.
The street which divides narrows each day
As moments of connection draw us closer,
And the song of our voices begin to harmonize,
So one day, we will cross that street together!
Dave Douglas immediately grabs us with the brilliance of this poem’s first two lines. Then, “…Averting the sunshine of the faces in her skies” shows us the innocence/perspective of an autistic child. Dave hits the notes of hope in the journey!