Story of a Son

A poem about a boy with autism whose father doesn't know what's wrong with him.

Story of a Son
by Tristan Weiland

Time goes by, but I stand still
The world turns, I'm waiting here
With my blank stare, my blunt affect
It's getting hard to hear

People speak, is it to me?
This is different, I feel afraid
It's all too much, I can't take in
Why can't it be the same?

I'm not your son, and I can't be
I can't fit in, I'm sorry
I'm not like you, can you hear me?
I've tried so hard

Remember every time? You didn't know
Remember every word? I couldn't follow
I'm sorry, but I don't know
Why we came to here

Inside my mind, it's like a puzzle
Inside my world, it's like a maze
It doesn't matter, to anyone
No one else can see

Can you hear me? Is my voice too loud?
I know I'm here, but I don't know what I'm saying
I can hear my voice, but i don't know what I mean
Do you understand now?

On some days, I can barely speak
Sometimes, the words make no sense
Believe me, I try too hard
But not hard enough
I'm not your son