Peace and Poetry 1 of 2

Hi Friends! One of my poems is shared in this series by Art of Autism on peace! Also a quote (with my middle name misspelled) on what autistics can say about peace. Please take a look at all the featured works and then scroll down to see my poem!

Sirens to symphony by Danny Whitty
Sounds of the oppressed
carry
songs of hardship
wails of grieving
hearts
alarm sirens of injustice.

Yes, alarms.
Searing through the
cacophony of life.

Waiting
to be acted
upon.

Waiting for us
to truly
listen.

Listen.
Act.
Change.

Change the chaotic
thundering
clashing
noise
by raising
our voices
in powerful
harmony
united.

Falling to fall Quinoa Salad

This simple dish is a symbol of the transition to fall from summer. It can be a side or main dish. I recommend more spices and salt, but I like strong flavors. It was so tasty and cozy! Can be enjoyed warm or chilled.

Ingredients

Salad:
Quinoa cooked 1 cup
Sweet potato 1 1/2 cups diced and boiled until just soft
Apples 2 diced
Walnuts 1/2 cup chopped
Red onion 1/2 cup diced
Celery leaves 1 cup chopped
Garlic 2 cloves minced

Dressing:
Olive Oil 2 Tablespoons
Nutritional Yeast 2 Tablespoons
Apple Cider Vinegar 2 Tablespoons
Cumin 1/2 teaspoon
Salt 1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper 1/2 teaspoon

Instructions
1. Mix all the salad ingredients.
2. Mix the dressing ingredients.
3. Pour dressing over salad and mix well.
4. Enjoy!

Served with my sister’s vegan steak

Spellebrity Interview!

Thanks to my amazing community, I was selected as the Four-Star Spellebrity for I-ASC’s Spelltember! This is a wonderful honor that I truly appreciate. I was interviewed by my hero Elizabeth Vosseller about my views on communication and inspiration.

The interview is posted here. Below is an excerpt:

“I find so much inspiration from so many. My mother is my most amazing source of strength and love! My late father was my biggest cheerleader, and his spirit keeps me feeling so loved. My older sister is my true ally and soulmate. My younger sister is my best friend and accomplice! They all inspire me with their love, determination, integrity, and joyful hearts.

“My friends are so inspiring, too. My Best Buddy showed me that I am worth befriending. She is so full of happiness and kindness! In my friends, I find truths that I previously had not believed: that people can learn to value me; that my existence is important; that friendship is a powerful thing. They inspire me with their openness and support.

“My community of spellers inspires me to be an advocate for us. We have so much to offer, yet so much to overcome. I am inspired by their stories and triumphs!”

It was wonderful to have a chance to share my views. You are all part of my inspiration!

Spellebration!

Wow! What an honor to be selected as a Spellebrity alongside these shining stars!

So many of you nominated me that I was selected as the Four Star Spellebrity! Thank you to my community for nominating me. I am so moved by this! It is my first time being recognized like this. It feels amazing!

Look at the Spellebrity profiles and look for more blog posts from us coming soon.

Thank you I-ASC for spellebrating us! We are a wonderful community thanks to you!

Garden Soup

This is my first created recipe. It is inspired by summer’s bounty. If you don’t have these vegetables, it is easy to substitute tomato and squash. I made this with my sister and it was so good!

Ingredients
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1/2 Onion diced
5 cloves Garlic
~1 cup Red Bell Pepper diced
~1 cup Zucchini diced
1 ear Corn off cob
3 cups Broth
1 teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
~2 cups Arugula
1 stalk Celery

Steps

  1. Heat Olive Oil in a large pot
  2. Brown Onions
  3. Add Garlic and cook on medium heat for a few minutes
  4. Add the diced vegetables and cook until just browned
  5. Add broth and seasoning and simmer for 5 minutes
  6. Blend arugula and celery with 1/2 cup water
  7. Add arugula mix to soup. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  8. Enjoy with Salad and Garlic Bread!

Man Overboard

This is a poem I presented in July for International Association for Spelling as Communication‘s Neurolyrical Cafe open mic night. It is about disillusionment and conflict.

Man overboard by Danny Whitty
Farther than an isolated atoll,
Adrift alone.
Weakened and forgotten.
What am I?
What is this place?
What am I to do?
Adrift.
Alone.
Weak.
Forgotten.
You forgot me.

I Friend You

Written August 2020. I was inspired to write this after learning more about social media from my sisters.

I friend you by Danny Whitty

They do not really feel,
But instead of really feeling
Bow down to their egos.

Merely to scratch lightly
At the nagging itchy
Conscience.

Merely to display mediocre
Virtue to the world
In the screen.

They are thoughtless and
Without soul.
Riddled with self-centered aims.

Absorbed in a world
Where approval is easily bestowed
But asinine.

What can you do
To remain rooted?
Without pretense?

Be my friend
And I will be
Yours.

Body, Voice, Vision

I presented this at I-ASC‘s monthly Neurolyrical Cafe in August 2020. This has been on my mind a lot lately. It is a common feeling for autistics like me. Please try to understand.

Body, Voice, Vision by Danny Whitty

That is the boring
worry in my head.
That is the bland
issue on my mind.
That is the stressful
nagging thought that won’t leave.
What is my fate?
What is my future?
Where do I belong?

With my body that
won’t be in line with
my beautiful mind,
With my voice that
won’t speak my words,
With my vision that
sees too much.

What can I do?
am I of any value?
What is my chance
of being loved?

You protest that
I am so loved.
That I am special.
With all you say,
you try to show me
what I mean.

Yet I still feel
that I am alone.
So alone in this
Body,
Voice,
Vision.

While this ever-present,
ever-mounting bank of fog
rolls in over my budding thoughts.
What is my future?
with my body,
my voice,
my vision?

Salsa with Ease

This was written for the Cow Tipping Summer Writing Workshop earlier this summer, in about 10 minutes. The prompt was to write a humorous how-to article. I actually would love to do more like this.

HOW TO SALSA WITH EASE by Danny Whitty

When you salsa dance it is important to stare intensely into your partner’s eyes. Really get into it. Rarely look away. When you step on their toes, stare harder. Remain positive! When you are a really skilled dancer, you should stare without blinking. Even if it hurts. Never mind physical pain! It is part of the art of salsa.