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“What’s Wrong With Me,” He Said

A father talks to his son about a diagnosis of a disorder. But the talk doesn't go the way it should.

By Dean TraylorPublished 22 days ago 1 min read
“What’s Wrong With Me,” He Said
Photo by Stormseeker on Unsplash

“What’s wrong with me?”

He said. 

**

“A disorder,”

I said.

**
“What do you mean?”

He said. 

**

Adjustment disorder,” 

I said.

**

Silence took over

As he ruminated on that. 

**

Does he understand? 

Does he believe the test? 

**

Such thoughts haunt me. 

My son’s confusion distresses me. 

**

He can’t cope

Like you and me. 

**

Change is tough

Adjustment is a mystery.

**

I don’t think 

he understands. 

**

It’s not easy

For an 8-year-old to comprehend.

**

“So what’s wrong with me?”

He said. 

**

“It’s a minor disorder.”

I said. 

**

“Am I dumb?” 

He said

**

“No. Not at all.”

I said. 

**

"Am I normal?"

He said.

"Yes you are."

I said.

“Then why am I different?”

He said. 

**

Now it’s me

Who falls silent.

**

I don’t have the answers

To make things better again. 

**

And this mere thought

Bothers me the most.


ProseMental HealthFamilyFree Verseheartbreak

About the Creator

Dean Traylor

* Masters in special education and degree in journalism.

*Seasoned writer for the last 30+ years (Newspapers, Magazines, Internet sites)

* Former writer at Hubpages, Helium, and Wikinut.

* Current: Medium (https://medium.com/@ds_traylor)

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    Written by Dean Traylor