Close Contacts: A Poem about Neurodiversity

After last week’s long and heavy post, here’s one that’s just the opposite. A blog-first bit of poetry.

I have been musing for some time about past friendships in my life. My adult diagnoses have helped me finally make sense of why I was hurt, misunderstood, and rejected by so many people. They have also shed a humorous clarity on why I shared an instant connection with others.

This little poem is a love letter to all of the “others.” If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m afraid I have to break it to you now…

Close Contacts
A Poem about Neurodiversity by Ashley Lilley

If you were once my friend, 
I have some news for you.
I’m a little bit abnormal, 
And probably you are too.

If we have ever connected
On a deeper plane
There’s a chance, that you and I 
Have brains that think the same.

If we were ever Besties, 
Soul Sisters, or in love,
The connection wasn’t ordained 
By the deities above.

Us against the world…
Soul mates, or like-minds…
Sorry Friend, that kinship feeling
Comes straight from the DSM-5!

“I’ve never felt so seen!”
“Nobody gets me like you!”
Turns out, I’m Neurodivergent,
And Darlin’ so are you!

We were taught not long ago,
(During a certain infectious pandemic)
To inform all our “Close Contacts”
If we ever found out we had it.

Well, I’ve got a diagnosis
And no, it’s not contagious 
But I think I need to tell my friends
From each of my ages and stages

That I got a raging case 
Of Neurodivergent Brain
And Friend, there ain’t no way,
That you and I are not the same.

If you were once my friend,
I have some news for you.
I got late-diagnosed today,
And Darlin’, so should you!

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