"Just unique." -- A poem about a girl with Autism/Aspergers.

The girl in this poem is me -- and likely a similar experience for anybody
else on the spectrum.

---

There once was a girl who was all alone.
Her thoughts a mystery, feelings unknown.
She knew her flaws, she could never perfect.
But all she wanted was a little respect.

She didn't walk like you'd expect.
She couldn't speak at all correct.
To other people, she couldn't connect.
But why must she be so prone to neglect?

She was forced to school, five days a week.
Subjected to labels like 'geek' and 'freak'.
She'd do her best to turn her cheek
And remind herself, "I'm just unique."


She sits alone, silently rocking.
The other kids are pointing and mocking.
She hears their taunts, but she turns away.
She's used to hearing it, every day.

She asks her mom why they treat her that way.
Her mother tells her, "That's how they play."
"They don't mean the things the say."
"Just go with the flow. Conform. Obey."

She tells her mother, so to speak,
That she lacks the 'proper social technique'.
She'll never belong within their clique.
She tells her mom, "I'm just unique".


Although she wanted to fit in,
She needed to stay the same within.
But she knew that she would have to blend
If she wanted to make at least one friend.

So she decided to try and pretend.
She figured from that, friendship would impend.
She simply couldn't comprehend
That they'd continue to condescend.

Her anxiety now was at its peak.
And her spirit was feeling rather weak.
But she knew she shouldn't become so meek.
"They'll like me, right? I'm just unique."


She asks the kids, "May I join you now?"
Her speech is jumbled, sweat on brow.
They'd yell at her, "Look into my eyes."
She'd do it, but only as a disguise.

Trying to act normal -- a part of her dies.
It just doesn't matter how hard she tries.
Nobody knows that inside she cries.
Because she's living her life, shrouded in lies.

They laugh at her, "She's such a freak."
"She acts too weird and can barely speak."
She knew that her chance for a friend was bleak.
So she slinks away and mumbles, "I'm just unique."
 
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