Beyond Words: The Unspoken Poetry of Jayelan Lee

Lakshmi Kanchi (SoulReserve) and Jayelan Lee

In the thriving and bustling corners of Centre for Stories, amidst the chatter of storytellers, I met the quiet Jayelan—a 19-year-old non-verbal autistic poet whose words, although unspoken, resonate with profound clarity and beauty.

This is the story of our journey together, a narrative that intertwines the simplicity of nature with the complexity of human emotion, as seen through the lens of Jayelan's poetry.

Getting to know Jayelan

Jayelan Lee is an extraordinary young person whose journey is both inspiring and transformative. At just 19 years of age, Jayelan has already made significant strides. Through his micro-enterprise as a Disability Advocate and Public Speaker, he is on an important journey that sees his talents and interests align with his ambition to become an advocate for people living with autism​​.

His impact as a public speaker is widespread, having been invited to prestigious events like the Spectrum Space Symposium, Curtin University, and the People with Disability WA State Conference, among others. His influence even extends internationally, with a notable presentation at the University Malaysia Sabah to the Sabah Autism Society​​​​.

Beyond public speaking, Jayelan expresses his vibrant inner world through poetry and dance, activities he adores. His story is a beacon of hope and empowerment, particularly for other non-verbal, autistic young adults who are struggling to find their voice. It is not just about overcoming challenges; it is a celebration of the meaningful contributions that individuals can make to society.

“I want to tell people
that I am capable. People need
to be patient with me. People need
to be open-minded and look
beyond—my behaviour, (what’s
on the surface.)”

The Language of Poetry

I learnt very quickly that when you tap into Jayelan’s inspiration, his work overflows with humour, love, and joy. And I left no stone unturned to uncover his inspiration—with storytelling, nature walks, poetry readings, and delving into sensory and tactile experiences like playing with air-dry clay, enjoying gestures and sounds, and using sensory toys.

Our meetings usually occurred at The Wetlands Centre, amidst the chirping of birds, croaking of frogs, and rustling of gum leaves. The Centre was more than a meeting place; it was a space full of tranquillity where nature speaks in a language that both Jayelan and I understand.

We also made time for excursions to places like Kanyana Wildlife where we enjoyed an echidna meet and greet. Such opportunities offered more than just a change of scenery; they provided a source of inspiration and a backdrop for our poetry sessions.
 

The Grasstree by Jayelan Lee

The grasstree has a lot
of visitors. It is the size
of a toddler.
It has messy hair
with cobwebs, ants, snails, spiders.
The snail is in a white shell.
Brown, black, prickly. He is exploring.
He (possibly) tastes like Swiss chard!

“Poetry Sprint Method”

Our poetry sessions were magical– a dance of imagination, storytelling, and self-discovery. We delved into stories of poets, their ground-breaking journeys, and their inspiring works. These sessions were not just about learning to express the innermost feelings; they were windows into Jayelan’s perspectives, revealing a world rich with emotion.

We found opportunities to read and analyse poetic works by other non-verbal poets such as Amy Sequenzia, who writes about deeply personal experiences, and Ishaan Holloway, who was judged and dismissed several times before becoming an award-winning poet. We learn from the experiences of Kashi Krishnan who turns to the art of sculpting for coping with grief, and Danny Whitty who looks to the sea. We read an article that interviews poet Adam Wolfond, who explains how collaboration is the basis of language. We also uncover his “method” of writing poetry which includes pacing from one end of the room to the other. We adapt his method into something that works for us—and call it a “sprint” method for writing poetry.

In the sprint method, we are outdoors taking short sprints to take mental notes on flora, fauna or things we observe. At each stop point, we note our observations and continue on with the next sprint. This way, with each iterative step, we develop a fully formed poem on the subject.  

Red Tail Cockatoo by Jayelan Lee

I am up on the eucalyptus
tree. It is lunchtime, I crack open
the gum nuts and devour
the seeds.
karrack karrack karrack
(Imagine) a postman’s vehicle revving past you. (I sound like this.)
I fly from branch to branch.
 

(Cockatoos learn from me)—to be strong
and stand on their own feet. (I learn from
the cockatoos)—to be free.

Personal Growth and Reflection 

This journey was as much about my learning as it was about mentoring. Through Jayelan, I learned the power of patience, the beauty of seeing the world from an entirely different perspective, and the profound impact of non-verbal communication. His poetry taught me to listen with more than just my ears and to understand with more than just my mind. 

“Echidna, I am amazed
by your nature. I bet
you are as lonely as me.”