Internet is loving this 10-year-old autistic boy's poem about embracing his differences

Kids possess a unique sense of creativity that might surprise adults at times. They look at life differently and their perspectives can be fresh and amusing. A kid named Benjamin Giroux from Plattsburgh, New York had won many hearts with his beautiful poem written in 2016. As a 10-year-old diagnosed with Asperger's, a form of autism, Giroux penned down some of his powerful thoughts about embracing his oddness and even after years his poem, "I Am Odd, I Am New," still resonates with many autistic kids around the world.

Giroux's poem caught the internet's attention when the National Autism Association posted it on Facebook in April 2016. The little boy was asked to write a poem for school titled "I Am" and he was given the first two words of every sentence. The boy took the opportunity to weave magic out of words. "I am odd, I am new. I wonder if you are too," Girouzx wrote. "I hear voices in the air, I see you don't and that's not fair." He went on to write, "I feel like a boy in outer space, I touch the stars and feel out of place. I worry what others might think. I cry when people laugh, it makes me shrink."

Though the poem seemed heart-wrenching at the beginning, it goes on to become an inspirational one. "I say I, 'feel like a castaway.' I dream of a day that that's okay. I try to fit in, I hope someday I do. I am odd, I am new," he concluded. According to Today, Giroux's poetry endeavor was a part of the National Poetry Month celebration at his school, Cumberland Head Elementary. Giroux's dad Sonny Giroux told the news channel that the 10-year-old who usually didn't share much about his day at school, came home that day so excited to have written the poem. 

"At first, we felt sad and hurt that he feels isolated, alone, misunderstood and odd at school," the doting father said. "As the poem went on, we realized that he understands that he's odd and that so is everyone else in their own way, which is what Ben wants everyone to embrace." Thousands of strangers showered their love and adoration for Giroux most of whom were parents feeling grateful for his poem which made their kids feel better at school. "Ben's goal was to have people understand that being odd is different, and different is amazing, and people shouldn't be afraid of who they are. And that makes me one proud father!" Giroux's dad said.

After the 10-year-old's wholesome poetry took the internet by storm, it was made into a book named, "I Am Odd, I Am New," and was published in 2021. Giroux's words paired with illustrator, Roz Maclean's colorful graphics and foreword by the National Autism Association, the children's book has garnered immense support among many parents. As for Giroux, he successfully graduated high school last June and is looking forward to creating more inspiring literary works.