Number 2 Pencil by Jessica Jenkins | Poem

It started with a number 2 pencil

8 year old me holding a handful

I was non verbal

But what you don’t know is;

I still had words

Words that l couldn’t speak but could visualize

Words that I tried to express on paper but nobody realized

I think in pictures

I drew cats that I encountered

Flowers that I gathered

And my favorite foods that I was after

Each drawing had a meaning

Each drawing had a hidden feeling

I wish I was heard from the start

But I’m glad I found my voice through my art

I have words now and I’m very grateful

And it all started with just a number 2 pencil

NEW SONG RELEASE: I Think in Pictures by Jessica Jenkins

Download NOW!!!
https://social.tunecore.com/linkShare?linkid=Tq4xYNUJBtVujBJIuQ0aqg

As someone who is autistic and an artist, I really wanted to write a song that describes my experience with my communication deficits. I wanted to give a clear explanation for how my artistic abilities really manifested. My art isn’t just a talent. My art is deeply rooted within my experience as formerly being non verbal. Out of desperation to have a voice that took me 10 years to find, I started drawing my thoughts in hopes that it would be recognized as valid form of communication. I felt so much pressure to use my words even when I didn’t have access to it and even when I managed to get my thoughts on paper, nobody cared because I wasn’t using my words. “I Think in Pictures” conveys the struggles of not having words but having thoughts in the form of pictures and how the world still doesn’t have an understanding on how different someone like me communicates. I always tell people I can draw it better than I can tell you. When I can’t find the words, I have pictures in my head that I like to draw to express what I’m thinking. With this song, I’m hoping to offer a better understanding of this and a different perspective that for many years was so hard for me to put into words and I’m also trying to give little me the voice she never had. I really hope you all enjoy listening to my song. It’ll mean the world to me if you all download it and share it with your friends and family. This song means so much to me and I’m so proud of it. I also have another song coming out soon so keep a watch out for it.