I Once Had A Friend...

I once had a friend:

I once had a friend: He danced

I once had a friend: He danced In

I once had a friend: He danced In His

I once had a friend: He danced In His Mind;

Could

Could Pirouette

Could His Pirouette

Could Emotions, His Pirouette

Could Emotions , His Pirouette Lovely,

Held

Held Onto

Held Onto Me

Held Onto Me As if

Held Onto Me I could As if

Held Onto Me Be kind, I could As if

Though that

Though that he was,

Though that he was, Portrait

Though that he was, Portrait of

Though that he was, Portrait of courtesy

Though that he was, Portrait of courtesy.

I once had a friend:

I once had a friend: He danced

I once had a friend: He danced In

I once had a friend: He danced In His

I once had a friend: He danced In His Soul;

And he knew,

And he knew, I would

And he knew, I would always

And he knew, I would always dance

And he knew, I would always dance with him,

And he knew, I would always dance with him, But there were

And he knew, I would always dance with him, But there were people

And he knew, I would always dance with him, But there were people So foolish

And he knew, I would always dance with him, But there were people So foolish and

And he knew, I would always dance with him, But there were people So foolish and cold,

Only brought him despair;

Only brought him despair; Teases

Only brought him despair; Teases a

Only brought him despair; Teases a screech.

I once had a friend:

I once had a friend: Now

I once had a friend: Now He

I once had a friend: Now He Danced

I once had a friend: Now He Danced No

I once had a friend: Now He Danced More No

I once had a friend: Now He Danced More. No

Monsters prevailing,

Refuged in the dark,

Oh,

Oh, seemed not to work

Oh, seemed not to work Anymore

Oh, seemed not to work Anymore His lore,

Against the burn,

Against the burn, panic,

Against the burn, panic, As shield,

Against the burn, panic, As shield, a hug

Against the burn, panic, As shield, a hug.

He still believed

He still believed though,

He still believed though, Not all

He still believed though, Not all are

He still believed though, Not all are monsters

He still believed though, Not all are monsters,

He still believed though, Not all are monsters, And

He still believed though, Not all are monsters, And in

He still believed though, Not all are monsters, And in a

He still believed though, Not all are monsters, And in a soft

He still believed though, Not all are monsters. And in a soft hug

He still believed though, Not all are monsters, And in a soft hug,

He still believed though, Not all are monsters. And in a soft hug, Still exist

He still believed though, Not all are monsters. And in a soft hug, Still exist angels

He still believed though, Not all are monsters. And in a soft hug, Still exist angels.

A LITTLE MESSAGE:

A LITTLE MESSAGE: Ash contacted me some time ago with a story that he wanted me to tell through a poem: his own.

A LITTLE MESSAGE: Ash contacted me some time ago with a story that he wanted me to tell through a poem: his own. He was diagnosed with autism in 8th grade, even bullied because “he was different”, and thus, he was never listened to.

This poem wants to show exactly that: how not hearing out a person when they’re in need for our support could devastate that person so deeply to cause, in the specific case of autism, trauma during meltdowns and shutdowns - thus, panic attack-related experiences.

Yet, people just like Ash keep on seeing beauty in us;

Yet, people just like Ash keep on seeing beauty in us; courage and initiative in the power of words.

Yet, people just like Ash keep on seeing beauty in us; courage and initiative in the power of words. And they keep on sharing their stories, they keep on asking to be heard.

Yet, people just like Ash keep on seeing beauty in us; courage and initiative in the power of words. And they keep on sharing their stories, they keep on asking to be heard. Now it’s our turn though.

Will we listen and keep on spreading awareness on these delicate topics that often remain unheard,

Will we listen and keep on spreading awareness on these delicate topics that often remain unheard, or will we only be moved by a story we’ve just read for a moment, then scroll down our feed and just forget about it once more?

To me, sensitization means to make one’s soul sensitive to a determined matter which is being brought to their attention.

To me, sensitization means to make one’s soul sensitive to a determined matter which is being brought to their attention. But to really sensitize a person, all the most beautiful words in this world will be useless unless that person themselves actively participates to develop their own sensitivity.

Thank you for reading this poem: if you feel like it, share it and/or leave a comment to express your own point of view. I would really love to hear out your opinion.

Also, if you feel like sharing one of your own experiences and would like to share your story with me, just like Ash did, please do. My DMs are always open and I’d be truly happy to work with you.

Last but not least, I’ll leave a link in the comments to my last We Heart It Article, where I featured an interview with Ash talking about his story and life experiences, as well as some important misconceptions and myths regarding autism.

If you have time,

If you have time, check that out too

If you have time, check that out too and share it with your friends.

If you have time, check that out too and share it with your friends. Together,

If you have time, check that out too and share it with your friends. Together, we can all make a difference.