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MARIA ILIOU

HANDS IN MY POCKET

A MOTHER’S DREAMS

A special needs daughter

Precious, vulnerable

Beautiful in her own ways

Needs the protection

The dreams of a mother

Can provide

World of my own, our own

But do we live so differently

From you?

Horses, dancing, acting, friends

The depth of a mother’s caring…

Not to have all these things

Disappear in my absence

Dreams for her future, I worry

Will she be safe within that reality

After I am gone?

Is it illusion, delusion, or just dreaming

That she would one day

Wake up, speak up, live up

To the potential locked away

Deep in her autistic brain?

So…I keep my hands in my pocket

As they often tremble

Within a mother’s uncertainty

So no one can take away

Those dreams, held safely

In my pocket

~MARIA ILIOU~

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INNOCENCE

Innocence of boy, his eyes engaging

With girl, intent of ambition

Noticing

As same time he holding to the rope of the tent

Girl felt his presents, looking at each other

For their first encounter…admiring

She quickly run

While he watching girl run, then his body swing, twisted

Of nerves as he

Fell on his stomach of attractiveness

Adorable to witness the children behaviors inaction

Timely expressions in motor movements…mute

Acting…role play of an adult

Visually in pictures…replays in my mind

Repetitively

Pure innocence

Normally…notices feelings within or not

Body responds emotionally anxieties of socially awkwardness

Suddenly automatically takes control of the mind, repetition

Respectively of innocent intact

~MARIA ILIOU~

*********

I CRY

I cry, as emotions runs wild

Through my veins

On a voyage, it seems

But to where?

Body swaying, rocking

Soothes layers of nerves

Traveling around my body

Comforting, relaxing

My tears store untold stories

Of who I am as

An autistic person

Without conversing

A single word

Opportunities to perform

On stages, without words

Through dance, motion

And the expressiveness

Of my eyes

My inner voice, sometimes silent

Frustrating, as words float away

Trying to express myself

Yet mute

This lost connection of words

It's scary

MARIA ILIOU

**************

EBBING AWAY

Looking though the window

Admiring unique patterns

Of depth, falling snow

Bare sycamore branches

Wild tributaries

Dangling shadowy

Traveling thoughts

Drifting soul

Wings lifting

Paddleboat of emotions

Ebbing away

Unwrapping grievous

Bewildered memories

Unexpected gifts

Inquisitive literature

Of life’s lesson

MARIA ILIOU

COPYRIGHT ã 2007 MARIA ILIOU

PURPLE CLOUD

Autistic social situations…extremely anxious

Floating words…disappear in air

Awkwardness of families and friends, uncomfortable

Autistic person, expectations dashed…purple cloud, sad cloud

Cravings of wanting to fit-in, social conversation

Searching for perfect words…connection

Disappointment …there goes another purple cloud

Inappropriate laughter, surfacing…sensory issues

Overwhelming sensation, not knowing what to say or

how others will interpret, or respect you

Unappreciated our gifts of talents and abilities

People have no patience for listening

Missing important information, difficulty appreciating and accepting

People on Autism Spectrum…unique in their eccentric ways

Avoiding changes extremely rigid…covet their daily routines

Brain processing challenges as our body matures

Extraordinary friends confide in, trust with supports

Memories of growth…helps futures confidence

Educating awareness…wisdom of experience

Autism…purple cloud to some

God’s gift to others

MARIA ILIOU

BOXES OF AUTISM

Unique boxes of autism

Autistic artistic abilities

Hidden inside

Viewing the positives of the spectrum

Not just “life skills impairment” or

Weaknesses more than strengths, but more

About talents emerging through their souls

A young autistic girl, learns language

Through singing, a true savant, blind

Yet extraordinary

As a child, taught herself to play piano

Incredible depths of understanding

Hears a song once or twice, and then

Is able to play it.

In college, writing her own music

Happiest moments, performing in front

Of audiences, playing with only three fingers

On each hand

A young boy, his potential almost destroyed

By doctors, who said, sorry, your son is

Brain damaged, autistic, and blind…

He will never walk, run, or talk

Their negativity echoing

But never sticking

At the astounding age of three, he touched

A piano, quickly pulled his hand away, then

Touched the keys again, and again, and again

Teaching himself to play, and also to run,

Walk, and talk, yet not able to tie his shoe

So what? Though only a teenager, he is now an

Extraordinary conductor, composer, and pianist

Everyone’s different, their

Boxes of autism vary wildly

In size and scope, their

Abilities, just as unique.

MARIA ILIOU

NATURE’S GLORIOUS EXPECTATIONS

Warmest water drifts down surface of rocks

Notices unique streams along scenic routes

Sounds of waterfalls, music to your ears

Experiences environment, surroundings

Water flowing in crevices of the mountains

Beauty of flowers all around…sweet smell of perfume

Energy of body relaxes…spiritual comforting of soul

Emotions of tranquility, uplifting…thoughts travel into the distance

Walking in nature’s glorious expectations

by MARIA ILIOU

SOUL OF ETERNAL LIFE

Believe in our Lord, safely protects your soul

Mysteriously preserves, leaving body, becomes an Angel

Winged soul soars though winds of clouds

Traveling millions of miles, exploring amazing sites

Purest light, innocence of wisdom

Entering heavenly gate

Protects your life stories

God’ comforts you with a hug

Overwhelming power of touch, tears of realism

Spirits, souls of emotions, sentimental feelings

Receive God’s eternal love…precious gifts

Your body remains on earth, unique component

Surrounded with flowers represents love

A butterfly carries your name, remembrance

Wailing cries penetrate,

Eyes full of tears falling from sadness,

Sorrow of departure as we go our separate ways

Our love, hearts tangled together…can’t be broken

Praying to God…strengthens our mind-body recuperates

Healing within our selves, receiving God’ blessings

Permission to grieve and grow

Soul happiness embracing life

Candlelight of hope, doors opening, offering

New challenges and opportunities

*********

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EBBING AWAY

COPYRIGHT ã 2007 MARIA ILIOU

PURPLE CLOUD

COPYRIGHT ã 2010 MARIA ILIOU

COPYRIGHT ã 2010 ΜΑΡΙΑ ΗΛΙΟU

COPYRIGHT ã 2010 ΜΑΡΙΑ ΗΛΙΟΥ

NATURE’S GLORIOUS EXPECTATIONS

MARIA ILIOU