This poem was written by my son, an 18 yr old with Aspergers Syndrome. It is posted here with his permission. He wants to go by the pen name of Shade Ombre. Enjoy.....





This is who I am by Shade Ombre
--------------------------------

In my cage I rage
Sad
Glad
Bad
Rad
A tad mad?
I've been
Had

The system shoves me around
Lost, never found
I hear the sound
Of words, so absurd
Yes, I heard
Little bird whispered so near
In my ear
Made it clear

They think me strange
A little deranged
Try to rearrange
My thought process
With such finesse
They can only guess

I am brilliant inside
In this world of which I hide
Free of looks that chide
As they try to decide

Drugs and therapy
What do you want from me
Can't you just let me be
Me?

I am not retarded
I have been tested, done all the written things
Done motorskills test any damn moron could do
I made straight A's in school for seven years
And it all means nothing?

I've never hurt anyone before
I try to tell them this,
but they choose to ignore
Why the hell do you think I close the door
To my mind, away from you

I'm through!
No more test
No more second guessing
What I see
Or feel
Or know
Or if I can love
Hate
Or comprehend
Today it ends!

No, I am not like the others
I am not one of the "normal" kids of society
Who hate their mothers, do drugs, drink
Have sex before the age of fifteen
Babies their parents must raise now
Or society as a whole through government aid
Your tax dollars put to good use again

There is something wrong with me you say
Because I won't be like them
I don't wish to associate with large groups of people
It is hard for me to socialize with you
Aspergers assures this from me
I feel awkward around you, just as you do around me

I am "different" you say
No, I say in return
I am "unique"
And no matter how the world changes around me
I am a constant

Take me as I am, or not at all

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