Let it Be Known
I tried
I sewed on lashes
smudged a rosy hue
over pale sunken cheeks
memorized my scripts
dutifully spoken through
painted cracked lips
still, my inherent otherness
was easily detected
spirit wholly rejected
let it be known
I tried
πππππ
I hid in the twilight
from my disguised
reflection
garish and harsh
in the slanting rays
evacuated the
spiral staircase
of society's expectation
flattened under
the stampede
let it be known
I tried
πππππ
Ring my teachers
and friends
elders
cousins and aunts
tell them I ran out of
giving a fuck
but just for the record
to run out means
I gave some once
let it be known
I tried
K.B. Silver
There is no cure for autism; itβs likely genetic and isnβt just one trait or behavior. It is a broad set of traits, symptoms, and behaviors, some of which can be mitigated and some of which cannot and should not be. I could no more easily be cured of autism than a left-handed person could be cured of left-handedness.
I can hide the traits that make others uncomfortable. I can be harassed and tortured into doing it better and better, but there is no βrecoveringβ from being me. No amount of abuse, no slapping me for stimming, no sending me to my room for hours to avoid being near me, telling me to do chores to βwear myself out,β putting me in the hall or sending me to other classes where there were other kids like me, amount of drugging me with opiates and antipsychotics that has ever or will ever make me not autistic.
I am still in here. I am just afraid of what will happen once the real me, whom I have been taught I must keep masked from the outside world to survive, is revealed.
About the Creator
K.B. Silver
K.B. Silver has poems published in magazine Wishbone Words, and lit journals: Sheepshead Review, New Note Poetry, Twisted Vine, Avant Appa[achia, Plants and Poetry, recordings in Stanza Cannon, and pieces in Wingless Dreamer anthologies.
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More stories from K.B. Silver and writers in Poets and other communities.
CH 5~Surviving Lunch
Half expecting to wake back in the country in her own bed, Francine cringed at the noise coming from across the Garden. Things were as they had been the night before. Only brighter and louder, if that was to be believed. Gramma Arsenault could repel an invading force with her shrill voice. It was as if Gerdie was right where sheβd left her, though when they went upstairs, it looked like she had been unpacking all morning.
By K.B. Silver Exclusive β’ 4 months ago
Comments (17)
I can't believe I missed this one! Such an amazing work and well deserving of the win, big congrats!! I loved the images and the repetition of "I tried". Fantastic!
I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get to read this, but it needed to be written...and definitely by YOU! This has such wide applicability with the things many struggle with that society wants to "bring into line." But lines are straight and narrow, and might I add, quite ordinary. So we should thank our 'lucky stars' that a multitude of people are refusing to be that. Thoroughly enjoyed your poem and author's note, and truly glad that it made the winner's circle for a winner of a writer! Yaaaaaays!!!
Not only was this beautiful writing, but it was also personally heart-touching. My son is autistic, and I felt him in your poem. May you always remain simply as you are: unique, beautiful, and a lovely soul that this world so desperately needs. Congratulations on your win!β€ππ
Wow! Amazing work! Loved the repetition of 'I tried'. And thank you so much for giving me a broader understanding of autism. Congrats on your win!
Such an important piece. Congratulations KB
Let it be known/I tried - heartbreaking, and perfect. Congratulations for your win π₯³π
Such a powerful piece! Congratulations :)
I love someone very much who masks, I don't know how she does it but I never encouraged it. This was so courageous and beautifully sad.
Congratulations on your win! Excellent poem & also piece regarding autismβ¦ persistence despite challenges is obviously paying off!π€π
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! ππππππ
Immaculate piece. Well done!
Just wonderful. "I gave some once..." hits like a hammer. Well deserved win.
Congratulations on your win! π π
Congrats on your win ππ
It is a sad story written so beautifully. Congratulations on your win
Omgggg, I'm so sorry for what you've experienced π₯ΊSending you lots of love and hugs β€οΈ
Wow. Painful but so beautifully written. Not much else to say, other than Iβm sorry youβve faced such hostility over behavior and personality traits that people misinterpret so easily