José Tomas
José Tomas
Slighted by the curse of autism
he was a delightful and cheerful lad
Tall, handsome with personal charm
nothing seemed to daunt or depress him
A manifestation of good manners
a willing helper, seldom dull or downcast
Thick lensed glasses accentuated his eyes
blue and clear, a glimpse of his inner self
Bright, observant with concealed talent
he lived in familial humility
Sent daily to a special school
to cater for his educational needs
At home he was incacerated indoors
by a family with little vision for his life
He seldom went out to explore or play
this he accepted as being a normal life
He knew no different, ambition stifled
Like a flower prevented from bloom
fed and watered, condemned to domesticity
I knew he was bright and talented
a fact not recognised by his nearest and dearest
He knew no sense of frustration
as his horizons were unreachable
his dormant ambitions unachieveable
I held him in my heart and prayers
if only he was my son I would have given him
the earth
keith jeffries
Sun 24th Feb 2019 08:00
Kevin and Dave,
Thank you for your comments. José Tomas was known to me personally as his Uncle and Aunt lived opposite me in Spain. José is as I have described him but I suppose the few lines of a poem do not do him justice. His parents and other members of the family were often quite cruel towards him. He accepted this as he knew no different. His life was caught between his special school, inside the family home and being sent out on errands. How many more Josés are out there. It grieves me now to think about him.
Thank you
Keith