Reading Time: 3 minutes
Dear Mia is a poem written on the experience (Volunteer Time Off) of Farheen at a local zoo with a child with special needs. Little girl, Mia (not her real name), provoked her look beyond the obvious needs of special children and her innocent world. Here’s a verse in Different Truths.
Here I sum up what I felt
When I met you and how my heart did melt
Sooner our names were called out
For that day, our names were bonded with grout
I was asked to take care of you
Understand, how in your imaginations, you always flew
As I held your hand and we boarded the bus
I felt you’re so adorable, over you, I need to fuss
Plonked yourself on the bus seat
You sang one line of the song; on repeat
I looked around to see other children greet and play
I wished with you only happy emotions stay
I sang along with you to see you respond
Slowly, I understood our communication had no bond
Puzzled and dismayed, simple things were difficult to convey
Wondered, would it be an ordeal to pull through the day
We got down off the bus and you were on the run
To understand, you were running away from the sun
I held your hand and got you close
You smiled; I wished with you I could pose
Mia, I maintained a tough façade, I shammed, “I can’t weep”
Can’t express how all my emotions began to seep
We went to see many animals in the zoo, a few clapped and others cheered
You will not enjoy a bit, I feared
You seemed oversensitive to sound, you covered your ears with your palms
Each time, I looked at you all my emotions I had to darn
You started hitting yourself on your head and you were aggressive
It must be loads of persistence to deal and to live
Your teacher asked you to calm down
Obediently, you ceased each frown
You walked for some time and rested your head on my shoulder
Buffeted by your emotions, I could only smolder
Awesome was your dignified demeanor, but your world and mine were still not together?
Realized again, you were the emotional storm that I had to weather
You uttered, “Go to school” and I said, “After lunch, we will go there”
You enjoyed, but only in your own company and I feel that’s not fair
What can make you happy, my guessing game is on
Do you understand the relationship between the sun and morn?
You wanted to eat fries; I handed out your lunch box
Your teachers were happy; finally, your ask unlocks
Mia, is it a very lonely place where you live?
I have too much but do not know how to give
You picked up a leaf and you enjoyed tearing it apart
You asked for more and you enjoyed as if it were an art
A while after, you wrapped your hands around me
And I felt your emotions and you set me free
I hugged you tightly and got you back to the bus
How I wished, about you I could discuss
You whispered, “Go to school” again
I was held in disdain
For all those without compassion for special people like you
How innocent you are they have no clue
You made me full with abundant thoughts
You are extremely special in not one way, but lots
You’re trapped inside, but you are freer than me
You’re oblivious of the worldly expectations – that I could see
With you, I had conversations without words
A smile, hug and sometimes nods
You slept away on my lap until we reached Snehadhara
Seemed your mom was waiting for you with a tiara
Lots of parents at the school’s entrance
Lucid moment amidst two worlds’ chaos, I felt insignificant without you at the fence
I had to bid you adieu, your mom held our hand
Touched by you in many ways, quietly, I had to stand
To discuss how my day was with you, my friend
I was lost with the quiet lessons that you gave me for my lifetime to mend
Loss of words, emotional to the core, this experience has quietened my soul
I missed you right then when I gave you my puny self and you gave me your whole.
[Poet’s Note: I tried to express my observations, experiences, and contemplations in black and white about the visit to a school, Snehadhara Foundation, for children with Special Needs].
©Farheen Viquas
Photos from the internet.
#Poem #SpecialNeeds #ChildrenWithSpecialNeeds #DifferentTruths
