I am looking for some lighthearted poems about dealing with the
holidays and with special needs (especially autistic) children.  I
would like to include them in my support group's newsletter so they
shouldn't be too long.

---

Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 17 Nov 2005 16:57 PST

How many would you consider a sufficient number as an answer
considering the price you are offering? (please don't say "as many as
possible"). I can help you find some good poems but I just need to
have an idea about how many you'd like to get in return for your
investment.

tutuzdad-ga

---

Clarification of Question by nkamom-ga on 17 Nov 2005 18:56 PST

I was hoping for 5-10.  If they are specifically about autism, 5 will
make me happy.  Thanks for looking.

---

Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 17 Nov 2005 19:05 PST

Here are a dozen or so. They are not necessarily humorous though they
do warrant a smile, and they are not specifically holiday poems though
they are about beautiful tragically children afflicted with autism.

POEMS
http://trainland.tripod.com/poems1.htm

How's that? If this is not what you had in mind I wil continue to look
(though Christmas, humorous and autism might be three very difficult
aspects to round up in 5-10 poems)

tutuzdad-ga

---

Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 17 Nov 2005 19:08 PST

Sorry - that sounded very dyslexic didn't it? I meant to say:

"...beautiful children tragically afflicted with autism..."

---

Clarification of Question by nkamom-ga on 18 Nov 2005 06:50 PST

I have actually used some of these poems in previous newsletters (but
you wouldn't know that would you?).  I am really wanting something
christmas, autism and funny.  Would you look a little more for the
promise of a $5.00 tip and  and less demanding 2 poems?

Thanks for accepting my poem as your offical answer! I've reposted it below.

AN AUTISTIC CHILD'S CHRISTMAS

Visions of sugarplums,
Ribbons, and bows...
What are his visions?
I hope Santa knows.
It's a special time
For a special child.
By the holiday magic
He is beguiled:
He can stare for hours
At a bubble-light,
While ignoring all else
In his line of sight.
He'll count every stitch 
In a Christmas stocking,
Do the "Jingle Bell Rock,"
Then won't stop rocking!

If you want to attribute authorship, just plain ol' "pinkfreud" will do fine.

Best always,
Pink

---

Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 24 Nov 2005 11:20 PST

nkamom,

A friend of mine who has an autistic grandchild read this thread and
loved your poem. She would like to be able to use it in a family
Christmas newsletter (not for public distribution nor for commercial
purposes). Would that be OK?

~pinkfreud

---

Request for Answer Clarification by nkamom-ga on 26 Nov 2005 18:14 PST

Sure Pinkfreud, she is welcome to use the poem.  I am happy someone
read it and liked it. And I don't wish to violate any Google Answers
rules, but if she were interested in more of my work, I do have a
website of "autism creations."  Some clever person could probably find
it - even though I haven't had any luck with Google picking it up.

-nkamom

---

Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 26 Nov 2005 18:20 PST

Thanks! I'll tell my friend that she can use your poem in her family
newsletter. She'll be tickled.

~Pink

Always going the extra (s)mile.

This poem isn't short, but you might find it apt:

http://www.kidstogether.org/nightforxmas.htm

Is this any use?



He?s staring at the lights.
Just staring at the light.
Doesn?t want a cuddle

     We expected that, really.
     We did warn you, Mother.

Doesn?t look at his presents.

     We expected that, too.
     We did tell you, Mother.

He just stares and stares at the light.
Just like the Wise Men.

AC ?05

I know I am being picky, but I am wanting something that my parents
can read and be amused by and go away with the feeling that they are
not alone in facing the challenges that come with the holidays.  Pink,
I will use yours in another edition of the newsletter, but it is a
little bitter for the spirit of the holidays. And angy, well, thanks
but that's a little too meloncholy (however you spell that) for me. 
Thanks for trying though.

I wrote this for you:

AN AUTISTIC CHILD'S CHRISTMAS

Visions of sugarplums,
Ribbons, and bows...
What are his visions?
I hope Santa knows.
It's a special time
For a special child.
By the holiday magic
He is beguiled:
He can stare for hours
At a bubble-light,
While ignoring all else
In his line of sight.
He'll count every stitch 
In a Christmas stocking,
Do the "Jingle Bell Rock,"
Then won't stop rocking!

I love it Pink!  I too got frustrated at looking and wrote my own. 
What do you think?

A CHRISTMAS POEM

We?re on our way to Grandma?s house
For another Christmas Eve
This year should go smoother
I?ve got some tricks up my sleeve.

I packed your chewy hammer,
Your headphones and the weighted vest
Some fidgets, and your train tracks,
Thomas, James, Percy and the rest.

We?ve put away the tinsel
And that scary Santa too
We?ve turned the music lower
And your bed sheets are all blue.

Grandma has filled her fridge
With the (few) foods you like to eat.
Chicken nuggets, jello, crackers
And baked beans for a special treat.

We will bake GFCF cookies
And leave Santa milk made from soy.
He will surely understand
They are from a very special boy

And when you wake on Christmas morn
And see your brand new toys
Both of us will celebrate
And cry some tears of joy.

Of course we must always keep in mind
The reasons behind these festivities
God sent Jesus to Mary and Joseph
And he gave you to Dad and me

                        (A.H. Stoner 2005)

Oh, and go ahead and post it as an answer if you wish, Pink.  How
should I credit you in the newsletter?

After reading your question I worte this. I hope you can use it. Trisha

Oh how happy you want to look as I read you stories from this book
I know you want to laugh and giggle before we even get to the middle. 
It may not show but I?ll always know that inside you is a heart of gold  
Inside you is giggles and laughter and shrieks or joy that always must be told
People don?t know you as I do my child; you are full of energy and not
so mild, as you seem to be from the outside. God placed so much
goodness on the inside.
Those who know you know what is inside; these are the things that you
just can?t hide. On Christmas morn you?re eyes will show just what we
always already know. Your heart is aglow with joy from above and we
feel each ounce of your love. Merry Christmas to you my child. I am
blessed to have you to hold and to love, for you are sent to me filled
with love from above.