Coffee Cup Stains

Life is complicated, plain and simple.

What we see is not what anyone else sees. We see a red rose, but no one else sees that same red, for no one else has our eyes. And that's life. We rely heavily on our five senses-taste, smell, touch, sight, and hearing-but only we can taste, smell, feel, see, or hear how we do.

The poetry included in "Coffee Cup Stains: Thoughts from an Autistic Poet" is based on Joy Olree's own five senses. She was, as Lady Gaga says, born this way-with autism, in a world that cannot fully grasp the meaning. In this new poetry collection, Olree attempts to enlighten that non-autistic world, to make its inhabitants see what she sees.

"Did You Ever Love Me?

Was fifteen minutes of fun all it was? Did you even tell her you loved her? I sit here in the dark listening for the creak of the bedroom door. Maybe you'll find another source for the anger. Maybe you'll be too drunk to notice I'm not asleep. Maybe tomorrow I won't have to lie to everyone. Maybe I won't enjoy what I never should have known.

If you ever loved me please let me go for I fear my soul is tarnished beyond repair.

I am a stone angel cracked and crumbling. Please God hear my prayer for I don't want to go to Hell."