Sunday, May 29, 2011

The Misunderstood Child. Poem by Kathy Winters

The Misunderstood Child. Poem by Kathy Winters

Discovered by my friend  Jan Larkin on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 9:52am

I am the child that looks healthy and fine.
I was born with ten fingers and toes.
But something is different, somewhere in my mind.
And what it is, nobody knows.
I am the child who struggles in school.
Though they say I'm perfectly smart.
They tell me I'm lazy - can learn if I try -
But I don't seem to know where to start.
I am the child that won't wear the clothes
Which hurt me or bother my feet.
I dread sudden noises, can't handle most smells,
And tastes - there are few foods I'll eat.

I am the child that can't catch the ball
And runs with an awkward gait.
I am the one chosen last on the team
And cringe as I stand there and wait.
I am the child with whom no one will play -
The one that gets bullied and teased.
I try to fit in and I want to be liked,
But nothing I do seems to please.
I am the child that tantrums and freaks
Over things that seem petty and trite.
You'll never know how I panic inside,
When I'm lost in my anger and fright.
I am the child that fidgets and squirms
Though I'm told to sit still and be good
Do you think that I choose to be out of control?
Do you think that I would if I could?
I am the child with the broken heart
Though I act like I really don't care.
Perhaps there is a reason God made me this way -
Some message he sent me to share.
For I am the child that needs to be loved
and accepted and valued too.
I am the child that is misunderstood,
I am different - but look just like you.

8 comments:

  1. This is a very beautiful poem! I hope it reaches the heart of many and helps them to understand.

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  2. So very very accurate! Well done!

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  3. I have a child like this but he is 30yrs. old has never grown up in life. I tell him he can learn but he won't try. I tell him he is lazy. I think I'm the one with the broken heart. Perhaps there is a reason God let him be this way...

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  4. Our world is made up of different special people, we all have a path to tread, we all have to keep the faith

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  5. I love this poem and I'm hoping you will give me permission to share it with all of my friends and carry it with me on my phone to share with my teachers and classmates. As we are learning to be teachers. Thank you for writing this.

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  6. Describes my 13 year old son who has ADHD

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  7. Sounds like my eleven years old daughter who has OCD, anxiety and mood disorder. I lover her no matter what!

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  8. Thank you so much for writing this amazing poem. It means a great deal
    to me! I am the mother of four children, three of whom have autism or
    Asperger's. Even though our children are grown now, our lives are rich
    and full because of them, not in spite of them. I am in the process of
    writing a book in an attempt to offer hope, insight, and encouragement
    to other families who have children who have special needs.

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I welcome your thoughts if they are shared with respect and that you understand that we may not agree but we can still share and exchange ideas.