Blue Light (Special): WaterColor (Spectrum)

Hidden beneath the broad strokes
lies the expressionless face
a self-portrait
of / by a four year-old
whose world  in blue hues
spins in eternal disconnect
eye contact extinct while
verbal skill live in habitual hibernation

Darkness overlays in broad strokes
the internal aura
a self-portrait
of / by a three year-old
whose mind absorbs all  in brilliant blues
while shut off from the world
patterns held tightly within
words encased like diamonds in coal

Hidden beneath overlays of darkness
lies an autistic child.

---

Inspiration for this piece:  First came the blue bulb on my desk meant to be lit for Autism Awareness (see image below for more information).  This object sparked me to reflect on a recent piece I wrote.  When writing Crystal Clear Clarity (on the Non-Verbal Spectrum and Worth Every Word), I had wanted to post a picture of a watercolor done by the little girl who inspired the piece.  Unfortunately, I did not have access to the picture at the time and so posted it without.  With these two things hovering, I decided to snap some pictures of the two framed pictures I have in my office to include with a poem still to be written.

While taking the second image, I saw something with my "poetic eye" (see Tumor Vision for more on this --"I so long for the artist's hand / to outline what only my eyes seem to see").  I saw a face that started me off on the adventure that is this poem.  )I do wish I had the ability to sketch out the face for others to appreciate what I see.)

Hidden Beneath
(image by rmp, that's me)
(painted by unidentified preschool autistic child)

Darkness Overlays
(image by rmp, that's me)
(painted by unidentified preschool autistic child)

On unearthing titles:  Oddly the last time I talked about unearthing the title was for the poem stated above.  This particular title falls within the very rare 1%.  I had the title well before the poem.  I have definitely gotten a bit more creative over the past year or so with my titles.  The first half obviously came from the blue light on my desk.  I added "special" for two reasons; I'd explain them both, but I think the double meaning is obvious and if not, oh well.  The second half came from the student's artwork which is watercolor.  I added "spectrum" for two reasons; I'd explain them both, but I think the double meaning is obvious and if not, oh well.