Poetry appearing on this page was produced with the generous support of artsACT
This poem is in the voice of a high functioning autistic husband talking to his neurotypical wife. It is not meant to be a portrait of a particular relationship, but it owes a lot to Edgar Schneider’s book Discovering My Autism and a little to the film Snow Cake.
The verse from Isaiah quoted at the start (from the Bible, for those readers not familiar with it) is one Edgar Schneider discusses a lot in his book. The poem’s slightly awkward, repetitive rhythm is based on the cadence of ‘for my thoughts are not your thoughts’.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways
- Isaiah 55:8
Love song of autistic husband
It is pleasant to see you;
when I’m near you I’m happy -
and if ever you leave me
I will think it a pity -
but my love is not your love.
You assume that your feelings
are a halo around you
I could see if I tried to;
that your heart is a mystery
I could solve if I wanted -
but to me it’s an organ
and the secrets inside it
are just muscles contracting.
I am always a stranger
understanding you sideways
but I’ll always be loyal;
I can’t help but be truthful
I remember the housework
and I’m there for the children -
surely these are important ?
You insist I’m withholding
all my tenderness from you
but it’s not like a river
that I’ve slyly diverted:
it is more like an absence
like a cave or a sinkhole.
When we fight (so you tell me)
you are harrowed with terror
but my anger is over
when my voice has stopped shouting -
it is you seems to carry
little scars for a lifetime.
When I think of the future
I consider you dying:
what will stretch me to breaking
won’t be grief at your going
but the alien business
of the funeral, the lawyers.
My routine will be scrambled
I’ll be sick to my stomach
I will shout at the children
I will leave the wake early
and when later I’m solo
I will balk at your absence
I’ll be frightened and angry
– but I don’t think I’ll cry.
[...] Love song of autistic husband [...]