Polly's pages (aka 'Donna Williams')

Ever the arty Autie

Going With The Flow

July9


Why Not Go With The Flow?

I’m the black sheep of the family.
I am not a substance abuser, alcoholic or drug dealer.
I’m not a thief, fence, fraudster, gun dealer or bank robber.

I failed to look the other way,
to remain co-dependent,
to make excuses,
stay silent
or adhere out of loyalty, expectation or fear.

I failed to fit the moulds assigned me,
shunned the sympathy vote,
rejected my scapegoat status.

I failed to pay lipservice to platitudes,
to massage egos,
to support people’s self images,
play the game
to be anyone’s narcissistic object
or bond with those who never did the hard work required to deserve it.

I failed to remain crazy enough to institutionalise,
failed to be silent enough to ever silence again,
and failed to need those who inflated and advertised their own self importance.

I failed to Go With The Flow
(and it was so worth it).

Donna Williams, BA Hons, Dip Ed.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
Autism consultant and public speaker.
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.donnawilliams.net/weirdoslikeme.0.html
http://www.donnawilliams.net/notjustanything.0.html

I acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of this country throughout Australia, and their connection to land and community.