So it seems that
autism shaming is still a thing
mockery is still something
ableism even in a place
where I wouldn’t have
expected it
a place of study
from a teacher

Your mockery
-a silly remark,
a stupid joke it wanted to be-
heaped shame upon shame
all blood fleeing from my soul
wanting to disappear
from the surface
of the earth right there

I’ve been through so much
fought my way through

daily beatings
daily insults
chronic pain
a stroke
tumors and endometriosis
betrayal and heartbreak
racism and phobias
abuse and rape
and all types of violence
and abuse

each time getting back up
up on my feet
fighting for life
fighting to keep seeing
the beauty of it all
leaving behind the ugly
and striving towards the good
love in one hand
and hope in the other

I worked so hard
to be myself
to hide less, mask less
be less ashamed
I won’t let you have
the last word
I’m on the spectrum
and it’s not a joke, not a shame

neurodiversity –
it makes me unique