Touch: The Journal of Healing

 























































 

Gift Wrapped

    By Eira Needham


Elated, I begin unwrapping;

umpteen layers later,

I’m bewildered.


Inside, a puzzle;

locked in stagnant words

my autistic child ripples,

perception swelling to river banks.


His challenge has brought storms;

wild winds rip off branches

until we collapse, exhausted.


Yet, hidden between the tiers

stands an impish wit

that tickles my insides,

crinkling my face.


Still peeling off wrappings

I struggle to fit every piece,

but beneath his foibles

I’ve found a core that

laughs when the dog howls,

cries if pain strikes.


My special gift

is a taxing puzzle,

stretching resources

until frayed.

Yet, if he were created

from a perfect mould,

he would not be my son,

imprinted in my heart.





© 2011 Eira Needham






Eira Needham lives in Birmingham, UK. She has been a teacher, carer, herpetologist, crafter and poet. Her poetry is eclectic and been published in print and online. Recent publications/acceptances include Joyful! Victorian Violet Press, Westard Quarterly, Yes Poetry, and Leaf Garden. She will have her first chapbook published in 2011.

Copyright © 2011

Touch: The Journal of Healing

All rights reserved.