Thankful For The Things I Do Not Know Poem by Jim Yerman

I taught students with Autism for 39 years, people thought I was well trained
They would congratulate me on my knowledge and the expertise I had attained.

I was quick to tell them I was no expert and their argument I’d spurn
For I knew no matter how much I taught, there was still so much to learn.

In fact it was my students who taught me (it was part of their magnificence) ,
To look to each day as a blessing through the eyes of innocence.

They helped me realize it’s OK if on many things I have no clue
That way the world still holds some mystery and many things seems new.

The other day Deborah and I went for a hike and as we wandered to and fro
I found myself so thankful for the things I did not know.

I did not know one cloud from another as they floated in the sky
So each cloud seemed as beautiful as the last as I watched them drifting by.

I did not know the names of the birds or where they ranked in artistry
So every bird I saw seemed magnificent to me.

I did not know one bird’s warble from the next bird’s song I’d hear
So every sound I listened to was music to my ears.

I did not know the names of the plants, I’ve never had a need.
So I was free to see the beauty in the flower and the weed.

As we walked amidst the beauty and watched nature put on her show
I had to thank my lucky stars for all the things I did not know.

Once again I thank my students who taught me to see with innocent eyes
So that a simple hike in the woods is a wonder, and every day is a surprise.