Hello, stranger

Hiding from behind

A cash register

At the grocery store

You think I can’t see you

Staring

But I can

You think I can’t feel the judgment

Behind your eyes

But I can

You think I can’t hear the words you whisper

But I can

Because

I may be nonverbal

But I’m not deaf

Although sometimes

Your words

Make me wish I was

To you

I am

Unimportant

Stupid

Ugly

But

I’m not

And it doesn’t take a genius

To see your prejudice

So

I’ll just walk away

And pretend I saw nothing

Felt nothing

Heard nothing

But I did

Because

I am more

Than just

A defect

Hello, stranger

Or should I say

Grandpa

Uncle

Cousin

Every relative

I’ve ever known

You think I can’t see

The disappointment

When you look at me

But I can

You think I can’t feel

The indifference

When you stare

But I can

You think I can’t hear

The childish way you talk 

When I’m around

But I can

Because

I may be nonverbal

But I’m not deaf

Although sometimes

Your words

Make me wish I was

To you

I am

Everything

You never

Wanted

But

I’m not

And it doesn’t take a genius

To see your prejudice

So

I’ll just walk away

And pretend I saw nothing

Felt nothing

Heard nothing

But I did

Because

I am more

Than just

A defect

Hello, stranger

Grading my papers

From your scary desk

At that scary school

With those scary kids

You think I can’t see you

Staring

When I’m just working

But I can

You think I can’t feel the heat 

Of your harsh grading

Because I’m autistic and smart

But I can

You think I can’t hear

Your harsh comments

To other teachers

But I can

Because

I may be nonverbal

But I’m not deaf

Although sometimes

Your words

Make me wish I was

To you

I am

The problem

No teacher wants

But

I’m not

And it doesn’t take a genius

To see your prejudice

So

I’ll just walk away

And pretend I saw nothing

Felt nothing

Heard nothing

But I did

Because

I am more

Than just

A defect

Hello, mom

Dad

You understand, don’t you?

Why I look this way

Act this way

Learn this way

You understand

What triggers me

What doesn’t 

What I like

What I don’t

You understand

Because you know me

Not my “defect”

I may be different

But I’m still human

Although sometimes

Their actions

Make me hate

Who I really am

To you

I’m the child

You’ve always loved

And it doesn’t take a genius

To understand why

So

I’ll just walk away

And pretend I saw nothing

Felt nothing

Heard nothing

Because I know

What they can never understand

And I am more

Than just

A defect