Walking The Tightrope

[blozor]

Something I grabbed off Tumblr because I found it very poignant:

I want to tell you the real difference

Between “high-functioning” and “low-functioning”.

It’s all just a circus act; it’s not real.

It’s all about what makes you likable.

In other words, what the audience can enjoy.

Are you cute? Do you have charisma?

Can you dance? Can you sing?

And if you can’t do those things, what can you do?

What’s your talent? Can they sell it?

There’s a thin line, thin like a tightrope

Between what makes you worth their money

And what makes you disposable.

And guess what, my friend?

You’re always walking it.

If you’re different in a good way,

In other words, exploitable,

You might be fooled into thinking

That they all really love you.

It’s a trick, you fool,

And let me tell you why:

They may cheer you on when

You’re doing the trick they love.

But should you slip up on the act

Or do something unfamiliar instead,

You’ll be cast aside, locked away,

And maybe even killed

Just like all the other circus animals

That were labeled “defective”,

“Hard to handle”, and “hard to love.”

Just like all the “low-functioning” people

That you previously mocked.

Take it from me, a so-called “Aspie”,

Who’s outgrown being cute by nature

And must now find a new act.

If my current odd nature

Doesn’t suit any performance,

I know what’s in store for me.

And if that happens,

You’ll laugh at me, too,

Until you meet the same fate.

So, walk the tightrope

And don’t you dare fall.

I thought quirkytizzy at the very least would find it astute.