Since the publication of Wind Dancer John has continued to write poems that provide insight into the world of autism, this is one of his new poems, looking at the concept of mind blindness. For those of us who do not have problems on the autistic spectrum the idea that not all of us has a "theory of mind," that is the ability imagine how another person feels by putting ourselves in their place, is almost incomprehensible. John's poem begins to give us an appreciation of mind blindness.
 
 

If I told you
 
 

If I told you she was blind,

you’d see part of what I meant.

If I told you she was deaf,

you’d hear something of what I said.

If I told you she couldn’t walk,

you’d meet us half way.
 
 

But what if I told you she looks straight at me

yet can’t see me?

She hears what I say but doesn’t know I’m talking.

She walks beside me but doesn’t know I’m there.
 
 

She doesn’t know,

that when the corners of my mouth turn up I’m happy.

That when water runs from my eyes, I’m sad.

That if she spoke I’d listen,

if she told me where it hurts I’d kiss it better.
 
 

She’s mind blind you see.

I know it’s hard to believe

and even harder to understand.

But every time you try

she comes a little closer.
 
 

© John Burns, 2002. No part of this poem may be reproduced in any form, including electronic formats or transmission, without written permission from the author. All rights reserved.
 
 

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