Hyperlexia Journal

Laurie Cutter lived in Germany for four and a half years and has recently moved back to the Northwest. She enjoys spargel (white asparagus) but is not so fond of schnitzel. Visit her blog here.

Autistic Teenager as Sandhill Crane

When David croons,

He flaps his bony arms

In circles

In circlLike wings.  Skin & muscle,

In circlTethered

In circlTethereBy ligament.

One bench ahead,

One beChildren giggle;

His song, the shrill rattle

Of a lone crane

His song, he shrill rattCalling.

Now he stands,

Now hNow he sits,

Now he standsNow he stands again.

Damp feathers of hair,

Ebony shoes,

Six feet

Six feeOf angular

Six feeLong-legged

Six feeLong-leMystery.

David’s DNA

Encodes different steps

To the mating dance—

To the Head arched,

To the Quick springs, shyshy bobs

To the Quick spAcross

To the mating dancess From another.

Muttering,

Mutte“Be quiet, be quiet.

Mutte”Be quietShh.”

A brief run into wind,

A briefAnd he’d fly.