Sometimes people are hard to read
their voices inflect, their faces express
hidden cues and secret signals
their posture and gestures speak loudly
to those who hear

Sometimes people are hard to read

Nearby voices, noises off, sounds surrounding
compete with your words and I can't filter
can't hear what you say

Sometimes people are hard to read

they're glazed and dazed, impatient
but I've got so much more to say
so much to give

Sometimes people are hard to read


My brother has Asperger's syndrome and we have often talked about how it affects his ability to communicate with other people. This poem is a flawed attempt to relate his experience.