This being human is all about telling stories,
it’s travelling in a twisting caravan
across the desert, depending
on each other for flour,
for water, for a soft red blanket,
for bandages and apricots.
What currency do we have,
but stories? The story of “Good morning”
“How’s this for weather?”. The story of
“I love you”, the story of childhood,
the story of how to stay safe,
how to be eat well, how to survive
being lost, how to hold tight
to someone’s hand.
It’s whispering
our stories at night, the stories
of stars — of men, and beasts
and gods, and flaming suns.
It’s singing our stories as we wash our plates,
as we wait for tea to brew,
as we clean our shoes.
It’s shouting our stories in anger,
It’s crooning them in love. It’s sitting, silent,
round the campfire, listening.
We are stories, wrapped and tangled,
offered with love or fear or laughter.
This telling stories is all about being human.
For Kim at dVerse – a poem that begins “This being human is…”
I love how the poem comes full circle! Stories are the common currency, yes. 🙂
LikeLike
This is absolutely outstanding, Sarah! 💝 I resonate with the idea of telling stories, of sharing each other’s pain and celebrating happiness, these are the true signs of being human. I cannot imagine a world without it.
LikeLike
This is wonderful and made me think about the songlines among the aboriginals of Australia, where the song and the story is the path we travel… I can imagine sitting around the campfire singing tomorrow’s journey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your circular poem, Sarah, and that is indeed what being human is – telling stories. What a way to live, trading stories from a twisting caravan! I can’t wait to trade some bedtime stories for a kiss and a cuddle from Lucas. That’s me, singing stories as I wash up (or listening to them on Radio 4 while I do the ironing!). So many stories and so many ways to tell them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Stories are a fundamental part of what makes us human. This is so well put: ‘We are stories, wrapped and tangled,’ I couldn’t agree more!
LikeLike
You tell the tale-telling tale so very well, Sarah. what else have we got, eh? Thanks!
LikeLike
Oh how I loved this! I come from a long line of storytellers, and a campfire is sure to spawn stories often told an carried down through generations. So well-penned!
LikeLike
I am stunned❤️
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Heck yes, Sarah, it’s the one thing that distinguishes us from all other life forms. Such a beautiful and deeply wise poem.
LikeLike
“for a soft read blanket” held such comfort for me, though I’m not sure why. Fantastic write.
LikeLike
LOVE this take, Sarah…we each have our own story to live and yet our stories intertwine, we depend on each other…for apricots 🙂
LikeLike
It is so true…being human is just another story, a different story for each individual!
LikeLike
The story of writing a fantastic, true to life, poem!
Amazingly crafted, Sarah ❤
Yours,
David
LikeLike
And this poem is like a story, carrying me away into the land of soft blankets and apricots, taking my erratic breath away and the returning it to me rhythmically restored – thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the caravan of story here, its winding, windy breath. St. Columba returned to Ireland in 573 AD for the Convention at Drumceatt to offer a defense of Ireland’s poets — their class was about to be eliminated by royal decree (for being such a costly royal pain in the keister). He said, “Humans of dust, you are nothing but a story.” It’s why we keep singing …
LikeLike
Your description of how our lives are stories is so rich–from the mundane of How Are You to the whispered magic of nighttime tales.
LikeLike
This being human is all of that. It is the stories that keep me most amazed and enchanted about being human.
LikeLike
So many of the poems I’ve read so far refer to life’s experience and how it shapes each of us, all of us. These stories are the perfect example.
LikeLike
It is the stories that always hold me captive – each one so unique and amazing.
LikeLike
Yes! I can relate to this about being human… stories make the world stop and listen. Just like your poem did. And even silence can convey a story. Iove.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very good post! I like the idea that being human is wrapped up in our stories!
What currency do we have,
but stories?
LikeLike
Sarah, a very touching poem! The human gift of language allows us to share our stories…our experience, our knowledge, and our hopes.
LikeLike
This is gorgeous Sarah, tender and hopeful — so uplifting to read! Thank you. This bring human is a story we tell oursslf.
LikeLike
Very impressive–love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A tale well told, Sarah! It comes full circle with hope.
LikeLike
Loved the story. There is nothing more human (for better or worse).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stories, yes, they are a common currency Sarah! A beautiful and uplifting post! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person