Sounds of Silence

This poem has been written for my best friend's little autistic brother Pushkar.

Sitting in a place where silence echoes

And the painting on the wall looms large

Where even the air seems to be making noise

With the little boy in my lap

I try to understand him

Yet, for some reason, I can not

I watch him sit calmly, soundlessly

Mourning the stillness

That speaks of some unknown displeasure

I stare at the mute Casio in his hand

Half expecting it to spring to life

I curse myself for not being able

To give words to his tunes of silence

I look at him again

Into those eyes gazing at some distant land

Not looking into mine

Yet, expecting me to understand

I listen to the muteness that surrounds us

And that stillness tells me that I know him

And I nod; he laughs

And his laughter echoes with the sounds of silence.