That Special Smile (Billy Cannot Fake)

Filled with light and free from guile.

That’s how I see Billy’s smile.

Since he’s free of social grace,

just when a smile will cross his face

is hard to say, but this I stress:

He smiles solely from happiness.

Pure and simple. I cannot chart

the ways in which this melts your heart.

 

Like the time I took a chance

and drove him to a high school dance.

I dropped him off – would he have fun,

how social was my autistic son?

I drove away, thoughts edged in doubt,

and tried my best to block them out.

 

I don’t know how that night progressed

what songs were played, who danced the best.

What I do know: Billy had fun.

I know because I spied my son

for a half-moment just before

he saw me waiting by the door.

 

He was grinning. . .Wait. It seemed

my son’s smile positively beamed.

I glimpsed some happiness distilled,

so rare and good, and so fulfilled.

That smile said, like every boy,

Billy has moments of pure joy.

 

He’s gone to many dances since.

It only took one to convince

his mother that to never try

is to let things pass him by. 

 By India DeCarmine (Friend of Karen)