songs soften the clouds for a
close kiss of the daydream kid
musical notes repeat and rest
resilience reps me to ride
core composes a comforting tune
tempo travels territories
discovered my diagnosis
clinically in my thirties
two months prior, piano keys
kept a toll on my tower
reflections rehearse a timeline
refuse to have self-pity
choice i chant is self-awareness
determination delivers instruments
informs me of my orchestra
growing up, differences rumbled rooftops
became a musician going through motions
words i wobble work spirits
resilience has been my melody
behind my shimmer and shine smile,
choral rhapsodies create crippling cries
13-year-old girl traumatically attempts death
when bullies’ barks beatbox her body
her heart is their hurtful harmony
female at 16 feels a face blop
by her no rhythm but blues boyfriend
actions back up his verbal threats
mic her, while she mimics resilience
hope soaps sounds of a healing encore
young woman gets tangled in a guy’s cords
trust for him goes out the window. she is 20,
unwrapped. resilience is her regular ritual
shout my song. i am a walking witness
whatever the world presents, face it fearlessly
autism ponders basic thoughts. accept it
cognitively, i take a while to comprehend things
repetition and nonverbal cues choir my mind
intellect is below average unlike other adult ages
driven by drums above. believe in the impossible
limitations live within me. unshakeable faith
detects who my interior designer is
jumping justifies my upbeat jams
ADHD journeys me to find joy
wonder how this much musicality focuses
unrecognizable for over 30 years
not on medication either. explanation
involves insight into the unseen
story makes experts reexamine science
opinions overthink my neurodivergence
voice violins resilience in valves
words whip the world into shape
when life feels unbearable,
unseal resistance. sing louder
stand bolder. do not quit the quest
resilience is the tool
to take down darkness
play on push through
play on push through
Traci Neal is a neurodivergent poet residing in South Carolina. Neal’s poetry has been featured in Spokane Public Radio- Poetry Moment, northern Illinois- Poetically Yours, the Art of Autism, DSTL Arts- Aurtistic Zine, Autism Digest, Wildfire Words- UK, Spoken Black Girl Magazine, Black Art Magazine, and many other media publications. She uses her poetry platform to advocate and bring awareness to those in need worldwide.