Disorders & Deities

In late 2013, London-based Eyewear Publishing

will publish The Poet’s Search For God. This poem

will be included in that collection.

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Disorders & Deities                                                                                       

by Tony Peyser

My autistic son who often

Is at a loss himself

Paused while taking a bath

And seemed to cross himself.

Did I misinterpret that

Hand gesture a smidgen

Or has Jeremy somehow found

A way to get religion?

His access to godlike things

Would have certain gaps.

My wife & I don’t attend services

And are devoutly lapsed.

But maybe some bit of belief

Sang to Jeremy like wishes

Perhaps the prestidigitation

Of those loaves into fishes.

The sight of an actual crucifix

Might be a bit too real for him:

He doesn’t drink wine but communion

Wafers might appeal to him.

Maybe this is something I imagined

Maybe it’s a serious phase

Or just proof that autism & the Lord

Work in mysterious ways.