When my son was 12, I wrote this poem to try and express how I understood his autism.

I love spaghetti bolognese

I like it very much

But my spaghetti and my bolognese

Must never touch

I love the pallet in the tree

It’s somewhere nice to sit

As long as no-one else is there

And I’m alone on it

I love the Famous Five in books

From one to twenty one

I read them to myself most nights

My secret world of fun

I love the Glebe, it’s where I go

To secondary school

As long as lesson three on Tuesday’s

Always in the pool

I don’t make friends and find it hard

To chat with those around

And if my house is very full

I’m nowhere to be found

I love my life and now I’m twelve

I think about my days

Just trying my best to keep life like

Spaghetti bolognese

Matthew at 16

The boy at my side

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Comments (48)
  • Dee Gold on Apr 3, 2009

    well expressed.
    wishing you the best and to your son,too.

  • Christine Ramsay on Apr 3, 2009

    A beautiful poem which shows such a depth of understanding. I have worked with autisic children many times in my life, through teaching, Communication and understanding are so important.

    Christine

  • Joe Dorish on Apr 3, 2009

    Well done. My GF’s nephew is autistic and your poem is right on.

  • Darla Cooke on Apr 3, 2009

    This is a very nice poem.

  • Kate Smedley on Apr 3, 2009

    What a touching poem revivor, beautiful.

  • monica55 on Apr 3, 2009

    Beautiful, and shows that you are able to reach your son despite this disorder. This way you can teach him and help him to reach his potential. Great poem.
    Monica.

  • Adam Henry Sears on Apr 3, 2009

    I like this one a lot, revivor.
    It has the perfect blend of youthful rhymes and thoughts that it makes for a wonderful tribute to a young son in such a condition. Thanks for sharing this, it is truly inspiring.

  • Living4Jesus on Apr 3, 2009

    This is a beautiful and touching poem.

  • Fresh Writing on Apr 3, 2009

    Very beautiful and inspirational; thanks for sharing!

    -Fresh Writing

  • Dianneapril on Apr 3, 2009

    Very touching! I really enjoyed this one. It’s written from the heart.

  • Chrissie on Apr 4, 2009

    Made me cry! A fab poem hun xx

  • Paul Roberts on Apr 5, 2009

    Without the for word, the poem would not have impacted as well, nice touch. Friend, fan, smile

  • Evelyn Moore on Apr 6, 2009

    Lovely – only someone that knew and loved this little boy would have been able to write this – moving

  • Phill Senters on Apr 6, 2009

    Makes my eyes misty.

  • Alicia Wind on Apr 6, 2009

    Nice…

  • Olivia Reason on Apr 6, 2009

    I like the metaphor- keeping his life like spaghetti bolognese.

  • Lost in Arizona on Apr 7, 2009

    There is no love greater, no bond stronger, than the gift that is shared between a child and their parent. It may seem like their world is their own at times, but every now and then, a glimpse of what it’s like, no matter how simple, can sometimes be a wonderful thing.

  • cleblanc on Apr 7, 2009

    beautiful

  • Rask Balavoine on Apr 7, 2009

    This touches a chord. That spaghetti picture explains so much more than a text book could. Thanks.

  • rutherfranc on Apr 7, 2009

    very touching..

  • Miss Heda on Apr 7, 2009

    this is lovely. it must be hard to raise a child with autism

  • nutuba on Apr 7, 2009

    Delightful and fun! I like this immensely!

  • ML Sheldon on Apr 8, 2009

    A very thoughtful poem for you to write. It really shows your understanding of your son.

  • aroshu123 on Apr 9, 2009

    Hi, great poem, I love poems!!

  • magicdarts on Apr 9, 2009

    very moving work, that unbreakable father and son bond, your ability to connect and empathise with your son’s view of the world, made the tears well up for me – thankyou

  • monica55 on Apr 10, 2009

    very touching, and shows a strong father son relationship. Keep it up.
    Monica.

  • MMV Abad on Apr 11, 2009

    How very thoughtful. You are a very nice father. I’m sure your son loves you so much.

  • macon on Apr 11, 2009

    very touching poem.

  • Denise Kawaii on Apr 12, 2009

    Great poem. It is sometimes difficult for outsiders to understand the struggles that we go through, and this poem is a fantastically simple way to bring understanding.

  • Kimberly Moore on Apr 13, 2009

    Wonderful poem!!

  • OhSugar on Apr 13, 2009

    Excellent poem. Great father son relationship.

  • monica55 on Apr 14, 2009

    Great poem serving a good therapeutic need. Keep up the great job.
    Monica

  • fishfry aka Elizabeth Figueroa on Apr 18, 2009

    A lovely way to describe the world of an individual with autism.
    In a group, but still alone; and he perfers it that way.
    Great way with words you have there.

  • h20ho on Apr 21, 2009

    Excellent, thought inspiring. This is something we all relate to and are aware of but never usually focus on it unless directed as in your poem.

  • pcpisces12 on Apr 21, 2009

    nice okay good

  • Anne McNew on Apr 24, 2009

    great story

  • Joni Keith on Apr 25, 2009

    Nice to write about these things. I hope your son is doing well.

  • marisolflamenco on Apr 30, 2009

    Very touching poem. Thanks for sharing!!

  • Bo Russo on May 3, 2009

    Very enjoyable and understanding

  • Elaine Reveley on May 3, 2009

    Great Poem,
    Great Tree,
    Great Pallett!

  • DeeDeeDee on May 26, 2009

    That’s beautiful.

  • Nina007 on Jul 2, 2009

    very touchy..

  • Elizabeth Abbott on Jul 11, 2009

    You do understand your child so well. This is so thoughtful with tender caring. I hope you all are well. Learning is so special to me. Thank You

  • Melody SJAL on Jul 11, 2009

    What an insightful and thought-provoking piece.

  • California Dreamer on Jul 13, 2009

    This is a beautiful and inspirational poem, and I hope you have a framed copy in yours sons room, autographed by his dad…

  • chris on Jul 25, 2009

    So good. Glad I found it. My last years in teaching were involved with helping an autistic 15 year old get his Standard Grade English.

  • Christine Ramsay on Dec 12, 2009

    A very touching piece about your son and his outlook on life. he seems happy in his little world.

    Christine

  • Jillian on May 20, 2011

    This poem is absolutely beautiful. I love the simplicity of the poem as it expresses your strong bond with your son. :)

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