Luke Burke
I am grateful for the opportunity that Lynx has given me. Putting my words to music has been a surreal experience. My hope is many more autistics can also have their words sung by this talented group. Most of the writing is from when I was nine. I am now twelve and still writing. You may want to check out my Facebook page Different not less - Luke B. These days, I enjoy listening to music, walking my dog, and advocating from an autistic person's perspective. I can help make change for others like me by sharing my writing. My dream is to one day be a writer for Time magazine. I hope when you read these songs that you open your mind and heart to different ideas about autism. I want a better world together. Til next time, Luke B.
Always I am wanting
Always I am wanting you to feel like I do
To understand my point of view
To see what I see and feel what I feel
Want all of you to let me be me
like you can be you
You want a perfect body that functions when it is told to
That is not me
Want it to be
You are patient you will see
All the qualities that make up me
A life with a voice
A life with a voice. Almost a choice all are allowed. For me this pains me to write because kind of despite all my efforts working on this. I am no closer to my wish. Almost want real words to scream at the top of my lungs. Instead I am left tying words that are whispered. Using no emotion. Am very afraid these words will never cross my lips and will always be silent. Please all I want is to vent. I will never give up. Till next time Luke B
Please Want
Please want people to know my main reason for writing is to help educate people about nonverbal autism. Am always trying to help I know first hand how it feels to live in silence. Am advocating to spread hope. Very much am wanting all my friends to have the option to communicate. Please understand we all have a mind that works. It is our bodies that won’t cooperate. Please ask yourself to take the time to understand this. Very sad when I see parents not working towards figuring out their child’s mode to communicate effectively. Want to congratulate those who already know this and presume competence and are working to find a voice for those unable to communicate. Till next time Luke B
I am so curious
I am so curious about people. Always watching. I feel really different almost like a fish out of water. Please realize I am so interested in learning more about you. All people have a choice to be kind. Unfortunately I am a sensitive boy that wears my heart on my sleeve. All I wish is for acceptance. Can’t wait for all people to want the same. Till next time Luke B
Words matter to me
I am each day
So always stay
Walk with me
Or let it be
Please want respect like you
Make it be true
Kind words matter to all
So all words are like a saw
That can build you tall
Or cause you to fall
Words matter to me
Blog Excerpts
Want my voice to work
So sorry my body won’t cooperate
I am trying my best
But my body won’t listen to my brain
I think I have a lucky family
Because they have me as a son
Watch the pieces created with Luke’s poetry here! You can find more on our YouTube playlist from the 2018-19 World Premiere Concert.
“Always I am Wanting You To Feel Like I Do” - words by Luke Burke - Music by Tariq Al-Sabir - performed by Simon Barrad and Kseniia Barrad
“I am so curious” - words by Luke Burke - Music by Tariq Al-Sabir - performed by Simon Barrad and Kseniia Barrad
“I am so curious” - words by Luke Burke - Music by Travis Reynolds - performed by Lauren McAllister and Stephen Variames
“Words Matter to Me” - words by Luke Burke - Music by Travis Reynolds - performed by Lauren McAllister and Stephen Variames
“A Life With a Voice” - words by Luke Burke - Music by Travis Reynolds - performed by Lauren McAllister and Stephen Variames
“March 2017/Lucky” - words by Luke Burke - Music by Joel Balzun - performed by Keely Futterer and Kseniia Barrad
“Nonverbal Autism” - words by Luke Burke - Stephen Variames - performed by Simon Barrad, Lauren McAllister, and Stephen Variames