For Moms of Nonverbal Children

Some children with autism can talk.  Some cannot. These are the children with a language we cannot decipher They communicate differently Yet they are called nonverbal. Their moms try just as hard, Use just as many therapies, Research just as many options And still - their child cannot talk. These moms yearn to hear their child's voice. These moms daydream about what their child is thinking. These moms think "someday I'll be able to ask him" These moms anguish when their child is in distress and can't say what is wrong. These moms wonder what their child's inner world is like. I know these moms feel pangs When they hear us moms of verbal kids complaining, When they read my description of yet another conversation with my son. Is it enough to say I have a glimpse of what you must endure When my son can't say what he wants When my son can't tell me that he's had a sore throat for a week When my son can't tell me what happened to him yesterday Is it enough to say I feel your pain though I have only a glimpse? We cannot compare our kids Or, better, we should not compare our kids It leads to more grief But know that I understand Even when I'm sharing yet another useless anecdote Even when I'm trying to compare my apple to your orange I get it. Though I wish it were different Though I wish I could help Is it enough to say I know It's hard Here's my shoulder?