The Unseen Stories We Tell
wikimedia commons
RayNata, 2008
We
sit
Each
of us
Stories
untold
Lodged
in the extraneous items
We
deem important enough
To
carry with us
--a
computer
--a
book
--knitting
--the
newspaper, splayed
Its
pages having already absorbed
Those
stories deemed important enough to tell, by someone
And
like cattle
We
lo and eye each other
Carefully
and quickly
Sweeping
past
Before
contact
So
that
Our
stories
Leaking
out of our eyes
Will
remain unnoticed
copyright/all rights reserved Audrey Howitt 2013
posted forPoets United Pantry
How very true these days...our own stories go unnoticed, lost in distraction...and the 'importance' of the stories of others..a fine write Audrey:-))
ReplyDeleteSome people are closed like a book never letting anyone see what's going on inside.
ReplyDeleteOur stories leaking out of our eyes - excellent and so true.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the clashing of horns and the pawing of the ground...
ReplyDelete"Our stories leaking out of our eyes" l like that, so many to tell but so few take time to listen. Good one Audrey
ReplyDeletedang...that last stanza is vicious good...the allusion to the cattle, and the leaking eyes going unnoticed....
ReplyDeleteGreat piece Audrey! I especially love that close.
ReplyDeleteThat last stanza offers much to reflect ~ Have a good Sunday Audrey ~
ReplyDeleteThat grabs me: "so that the stories leaking out of our eyes remain unnoticed". I so often think about all of the stories hidden within a person..........enough to keep us all writing forever.
ReplyDeleteI agree that leaking out of our eyes is a great way of putting it. It's true that we don't want to give away too much of our stories yet at the same time we do.
ReplyDeleteAudrey, this is good. To me it represents two people sitting side by side on a train or plane or bus, not letting their stories out to one another....stories remaining unnoticed, though perhaps both parties would really wish to be known.
ReplyDeleteWe lo and eye each other is such a creative and musical way of putting all this. Very cool. K.
ReplyDeleteSounds like New Yorkers. When I lived in NY I noticed quickly that some people try very hard not to make eye contact, as if "stories will leak out".
ReplyDeletebrings to mind an airport/bus-stand/station or some such place or may be even the inside of a train.evocative piece.
ReplyDeleteThis battle to go unnoticed is probably more revealing of truth than the usual story a person opts to give.
ReplyDeleteYou perfectly described so many:
"Lodged in the extraneous items
We deem important enough
To carry with us
--a computer
--a book
--knitting
--the newspaper"
Our stories
ReplyDeleteLeaking out of our eyes
Will remain unnoticed
That is so striking. Tragedies especially have a way of doing that.
Fantastic. Poetically wonderful.
ReplyDeleteEstes says that our stories are medicine, meant to heal ourselves and others. I believe that is true, so your final lines pack a particular punch for me.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Love the cattle metaphor!
ReplyDeletei think you have vividly described the daily commute on the trains/buses to work/home by us city folks. :)
ReplyDeleteVivid words. A range of images go thru my mind; faces and people on a train (maybe). Everyone with an item that allows them to know about others' stories, except the story of themselves. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed this poem, wonderful metaphors.
ReplyDeleteWonderful. I think about how each of us has a story to tell and our world is so fast-paced...no time to tell or even notice! Awesome poem!
ReplyDeleteAnd they remain unnoticed, because it is safer that way--though we all know that if we seek we will find.
ReplyDeleteI especially liked this: "So that
ReplyDeleteOur stories
Leaking out of our eyes
Will remain unnoticed."
they remain unnoticed...yes.... such is the busy bee world that absorbs countless tales!
ReplyDeleteEvocative and gripping! Powerful scribe, indeed!
ReplyDeleteAudrey, I would like to inform you that you have been chosen the Liebster Award for upcoming bloggers. You deserve it! You can read about it in my blog: http://sannellarson.blogspot.se/
Thank you!
Now following via GFC from Bloppy Bloggers FB group. Nice to 'meet' you. :)
ReplyDeleteDiana @ NannyToMommy
http://www.nannytomommy.com
Wonderful, Audrey! Thought provoking and so true! Your poem makes me feel lonely ... or empty, I'm not sure. Isolated none the less. I think it strikes too close to home for me. Another beautiful write.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is beautiful, by the way. I must make a point of returning often. Take care, my friend!
Our stories
ReplyDeleteLeaking out of our eyes...what a wonderful closure image..says so much... so many stories told in other ways than with our mouth
Audrey, you have done again. That last stanza made my hair stand up....yes we don't make eye contact so people will not notice our stories leaking from them. So often we are afraid if we do make eye contact people will see our pain but even worse that we will see the pain of another and have to help. God Forbid. I love your poetry....:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Audrey for reading my post yesterday otherwise I would not have arrived here. To read your words. Words I can read once and know instantly I will read again. Powerful.
ReplyDeleteWow, Audrey! The images of books, stories, and relationships weave so well throughout this poem. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of your poetry, such clear and unique images unfold in each poem. Hope to be able to read many more.
ReplyDeleteWow, I love this so much. Definitely spoke to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to connect here.. Your poetry is awesome.. I love this Thanks for the sweet words on mine.
ReplyDelete