In honor of Thanksgiving, I thought I’d post a poem on gratitude from my chapbook, Across An Aqueous Moon: Travels in Autism, forthcoming from Finishing Line Press in 2016.
And yes, I’m terrifically grateful that FLP accepted my manuscript—even if it means that I’m making frantic revisions and creating a mailing list this week when I should be relaxing….
ONE SPECIAL CHILD
How to express the joy of finding that child, that one
special child, who sees past the headphones and lack of eye
contact, who ignores the flapping and maniacal laughter, who
doesn’t care if she repeats whatever he says, a digital recorder
on delay. How to express the gratitude, the wonder, the freaking
awesomeness of a child willing to make the effort—and yes,
it’s effort—to play with my daughter, to help her learn what he
instinctively knows. How to express how rare, how utterly essential
these priceless acts of kindness. What alignment of stars, what
combination of traits, what alchemy creates such a child? I try
to explain and he shrugs. Why value connection when you have
never known its lack? I have no words except a meager, heartfelt
thanks.
Wherever you are and whomever you are with, Katie and I wish you a happy, relaxing, gratitude-filled Thanksgiving!
Until next time,
Cynthia
