His father asks how he dreams

by Beth McDonough

In our son's nocturnal films, can he form words
with ease, find clarity he can't possess in light?
Does he lose the stones which mob his mouth?
Have easy chats with friends? A normal life?
Without support, can he order cake and latte?
Can he make his needs and wishes known,
in another world, untripped by disability?
Perhaps his slumbered dark hours earn
a release from his great stimming cares,
his tensions being just, just what we all share.

After freeing dreams, does he have to rise
to pre-set wires? I feel such shame. I have not
thought about this, running through his nights.
My husband asks. We cannot know. Anything at all.