All I Ask For
Changing an Ableist Narrative
I see the way
You paint my life
In tragedy
Sad eyes
And curious
Stares wanting
To offer me
Up a dish
Of pity
But you don’t
Know my story
How could you
When I’m silenced
Every time
I try to speak.
You strip children
Of natural curiosity
And me of an
Opportunity to
Educate
It’s not
A child’s innocent
Curiosity
That angers me
But an adults
Blatant stupidity
When it comes
To how they
Define me.
You teach your
Children to be
Afraid of what’s different
With your thoughtless words
And oh I am so sorries
As you Shush a curious
Child
Taking with you
A chance
To teach compassion
And understanding.
Don’t think
That offering up
Pity
In a shiny dish
“Fixes” what isn’t broken
And hero worship
Isn’t what I need either
All I ask for
Is equal standing.
© Michelle R Kidwell
July.15.2022
About the Creator
Michelle Renee Kidwell
Abled does not mean enabled. Disabled does not mean less abled.” ― Khang Kijarro Nguyen
Fighting to end ableism, one, poem, story, article at a time. Will you join me?
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More stories from Michelle Renee Kidwell and writers in Poets and other communities.
The Voyeur's Incandescent Reasoning
The woman sat nonplussed, in the Waiting Room. In a sort of daze, looking straight ahead patiently. She had already had three small breakfast's that morning and a nip of sherry, this was not unusual she would typically wait until an hour after she took her anti-depressant and was her morning routine. She was merely following instructions she assured herself, shifted slightly in her seat and feeling a little heart burn thought, maybe she should skip lunch. Dom had said to have the task done this week. She was well used to his methods and desired to get this over and done with soon. She glanced at her watch, smiled weakly at the Receptionist who was there for a moment and then gone.
By Canuck Scriber L.Lachapelle Author6 days ago in Fiction
Comments (8)
This is so POWERFUL! Brava!
A wonderful piece of work!
Love this!
A wonderful piece of work!
Such a great piece. Keep up the good work. Thank you for being a dope author. You're one of the best in my book!!
My god, this is such a beautiful piece. This gave me chills. I wish I could read this for the first time again.
"It’s not / A child’s innocent / Curiosity / That angers me / But an adults / Blatant stupidity / When it comes / To how they / Define me." This is phenomenal writing! I'm going to be thinking of this part all day.
Beautiful writing!