“This child is really special,” they said,

And I feared. For what if they were wrong?

But I smiled politely and got lost in my head.

I was given the test and immediately felt dread.

I thought: Is there another way to prove I belong?

“This child is really special,” they said.

I sat in a room all day and was fed

Information about people and things and songs,

But I smiled politely and got lost in my head.

I had to get out – to escape. So I fled.

The bell tower rushed me along – ding dong.

“This child is really special,” they said.

They found me soon after, but I only pled

That this punishment be quick. No need to prolong.

But I smiled politely and got lost in my head.

I sat as my nose relentlessly bled.

I was purple. Pain. Not being strong.

“This child is really special,” they said.

 I smiled politely and got lost in my head.