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Autistic Boy Writes Moving Poem About How Odd He Is For A School Assignment, Leaves Teacher In Tears
What began as a class assignment has turned into a work worthy of a distinguished author for young Benjamin Giroux, whose raw and emotional poem about life with autism went massively viral and moved thousands of people around the world.
The then 10-year-old from Plattsburgh, New York, was immediately inspired after his teacher asked students to pen a poem about themselves, starting every few sentences with “I am.” Benjamin, not usually one to express a great deal of emotion, approached this homework task with relish and got straight to work on it.
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Image credits: GirouxBenjamin
Image credits: GirouxBenjamin
Image credits: GirouxBenjamin
“I am odd, I am new, I wonder if you are too,” Benjamin began, as he set out to try to express what it’s like to live with autism.
I hear voices in the air
I see you don’t, and that’s not fair
I want to not feel blue
I am odd, I am new
I pretend that you are too
I feel like a boy in outer space
I touch the stars and feel out of place
I worry what others might think
I cry when people laugh, it makes me shrink
I am odd, I am new
I understand now that so are you
I say I, “feel like a castaway”
I dream of a day that that’s okay
I try to fit in
I hope that someday I do
I am odd, I am new.
Image credits: GirouxBenjamin
Image credits: GirouxBenjamin
His parents were overcome with emotion when Benjamin handed them his poem to read, such profound and touching words are a rare and beautiful thing from such a young mind. “At first, we felt sad and hurt that he feels isolated, alone, misunderstood and odd at school,” Benjamin’s dad Sonny told Today.com. “As the poem went on, we realized that he understands that he’s odd and that so is everyone else in their own way, which is what Ben wants everyone to embrace.”
The poem was picked up by the National Autism Association, who shared it on their Facebook page. It quickly went viral and has been shared nearly 40,000 times, often accompanied by the awareness hashtag #oddtoo.
Image credits: GirouxBenjamin
Benjamin has since gone on to win awards and watched with pride as his masterpiece has been illustrated for a children’s book (soon to be published), inspired songs, and even been used in tattoo designs. But the most rewarding part for Benjamin is when he receives letters from people like himself, who have felt empowered and inspired by his beautiful words.
Image credits: GirouxBenjamin
“Benjamin is doing alright,” dad Sonny said in a brief update for Bored Panda. “He’s now in 8th grade and each day is a new day.”
Image credits: GirouxBenjamin
“Benjamin hasn’t written much lately. The anxiety of trying to write something as good as that poem is too much for him. So he’s changed medium and now enjoys drawing and playing music.”
Image credits: GirouxBenjamin
Given that people from all over the world were moved to tears by his poem, expressing their awe and gratitude for giving an insight into the mind of someone on the autism spectrum, it’s definitely understandable that he might feel apprehensive in trying to repeat it. However, even if he chooses never to pick up a pen again, he has already achieved more than many of us aspiring authors ever will. He has inspired people.
Image credits: JinglesPoesia
Image credits: Idlady11
Image credits: iamladylu
Image credits: xfirieba
What do you think ?
FortnitePlayerGirl 6 years ago (edited)
I'm tearing up upon reading this. Having depression, I know how it feels to be out of touch with the world.
Joe Sauer 6 years ago
As a kid I felt the way he does. I'm so happy that we as a society are getting better at understand that we are all different, and that we all see things in a different way. I know we have a long ways to go, however seeing these articles gives me a little bit of hope for humanity.
Load More Replies...
Jodi Ellis 6 years ago
Amazing that he was able to express himself in the way that he did. Some kids with autism have a hard time expressing how they feel and he did it gracefully. It has reached thousands and he has accomplished a great deal in his life! Congrats.
Ultimate Music Fan 6 years ago
It truly is hard but it is easier when you have lots of support from people who care.
Load More Replies...
Daria B 6 years ago (edited)
This is a nice poem. Hope the boy got more benefits than it's shown here from the song versions. It's sweet, sincere and interesting. And at the same time it's kinda relatable even if you don't have autism. Partially so at least. Hope Benjamin becomes successful in whatever he enjoys and choses to be.
Maci Wilcox 6 years ago
One of my best friends for 8 years has Autism, and there are lots of kids at my school who don't let him forget it. They never make fun of him in front of me bc they know I'd stand up for him, but we don't have any classes together so I can't always be there to help him out. This poem really shows how society categorizes people who are different as "weird" or "odd". It's really sad.
Anthony Legg 6 years ago
I have felt like an outcast since age 12. Im now 38 and have never been able to put my feelings in to words that way that you have Benjamin. You are an inspiration to all of us who feel like aliens. Like we are floating in space. Different and separate from all the "normal other people". Be proud of who you are. You are special because you are one of us! You are a future leader for all us under dogs. Don't change and never quit - we are all with you. You have an army - so keep fighting! ♥️
Gwen Pollock 6 years ago
This is a wonderful poem! It really touched home for me. I am not autistic, but I was picked on a lot growing up.
Kelly Horrigan 6 years ago
Benjamin that is a mic-drop poem! It will be like the Serenity Prayer, but not written by Anonymous. You only need one poem Ben and this is it.
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 6 years ago
this is better than the serenity prayer because you don't have to be religious to appreciate it.
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NCC-1701 6 years ago (edited)
This is a wonderful poem. While it might be sad in some aspects, I think that he also wants to convey that he enjoys being special in his own way and that we should all feel the same about what makes us different. We are all special and all deserve to feel like we are a part of something.
Agnes Jekyll 6 years ago
This is a great poem!! Aside from the words and message, the repetition of lines creates flow and music. Also a great way to help people understand his point of view
FortnitePlayerGirl 6 years ago (edited)
I'm tearing up upon reading this. Having depression, I know how it feels to be out of touch with the world.
Joe Sauer 6 years ago
As a kid I felt the way he does. I'm so happy that we as a society are getting better at understand that we are all different, and that we all see things in a different way. I know we have a long ways to go, however seeing these articles gives me a little bit of hope for humanity.
Load More Replies... Jodi Ellis 6 years ago
Amazing that he was able to express himself in the way that he did. Some kids with autism have a hard time expressing how they feel and he did it gracefully. It has reached thousands and he has accomplished a great deal in his life! Congrats.
Ultimate Music Fan 6 years ago
It truly is hard but it is easier when you have lots of support from people who care.
Load More Replies... Daria B 6 years ago (edited)
This is a nice poem. Hope the boy got more benefits than it's shown here from the song versions. It's sweet, sincere and interesting. And at the same time it's kinda relatable even if you don't have autism. Partially so at least. Hope Benjamin becomes successful in whatever he enjoys and choses to be.
Maci Wilcox 6 years ago
One of my best friends for 8 years has Autism, and there are lots of kids at my school who don't let him forget it. They never make fun of him in front of me bc they know I'd stand up for him, but we don't have any classes together so I can't always be there to help him out. This poem really shows how society categorizes people who are different as "weird" or "odd". It's really sad.
Anthony Legg 6 years ago
I have felt like an outcast since age 12. Im now 38 and have never been able to put my feelings in to words that way that you have Benjamin. You are an inspiration to all of us who feel like aliens. Like we are floating in space. Different and separate from all the "normal other people". Be proud of who you are. You are special because you are one of us! You are a future leader for all us under dogs. Don't change and never quit - we are all with you. You have an army - so keep fighting! ♥️
Gwen Pollock 6 years ago
This is a wonderful poem! It really touched home for me. I am not autistic, but I was picked on a lot growing up.
Kelly Horrigan 6 years ago
Benjamin that is a mic-drop poem! It will be like the Serenity Prayer, but not written by Anonymous. You only need one poem Ben and this is it.
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 6 years ago
this is better than the serenity prayer because you don't have to be religious to appreciate it.
Load More Replies... NCC-1701 6 years ago (edited)
This is a wonderful poem. While it might be sad in some aspects, I think that he also wants to convey that he enjoys being special in his own way and that we should all feel the same about what makes us different. We are all special and all deserve to feel like we are a part of something.
Agnes Jekyll 6 years ago
This is a great poem!! Aside from the words and message, the repetition of lines creates flow and music. Also a great way to help people understand his point of view
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