Our stories weave together

This poem came from the memory of someone once saying to me "I don't think anyone has ever heard Karen's story" I thought of how we often find that when we share experiences we have often been through similar things.  Even though at first glance we may feel our experiences are totally different they often evoke the same feelings, fear, hope, anger - and many more.  We hesitate sometimes to share our story but more and more it seems to me that we need to realise that our lives do have relevance and do contribute to the world in which we live.  We help others when we share and often we help ourselves too.

Our stories weave together

Has anyone heard your story
From start to very end?
Has anyone tried to understand
To really comprehend?
Does it seem so complicated
That you’d not know where to start?
Are there no words that are adequate
To share what’s in your heart?

Do you think that it won’t matter
If your story’s never told
Or imagine that you’ll tell the tale
One day when you’re old
Do you guard your journey closely
In case it doesn’t make the grade
Have you almost bared your soul
Then changed your mind and silent stayed?

Perhaps you feel it’s not worth telling
Not notable enough
Or think you can contain it
For you’re made of “sterner stuff”
Yet occasionally you long to tell
To say, “If you but knew”
For it seems stranger than fiction
Though it’s all completely true.

It seems to me that often
All we hear are mighty deeds
Its easy to dismiss ourselves
And the daily lives we lead
If you think about it carefully
It’s a fact you can’t refute
Each of us impacts on others
By all we contribute

So your story matters deeply
In the lifespan of this world
Your fears and all your hopes and dreams
Perhaps yet unfulfilled
We don’t live in isolation
But touch other lives as well
Someone else might just be waiting
For the story you will tell.
 

Has anyone heard your story?
Well, for your sake and for mine
I hope there’s someone you can trust
When  you feel it’s the right time
For the day may soon be coming
When your story helps me through
And perhaps the story of my life
Is relevant to you

We think we’re independent
But lives are intertwined
Experiences are sometimes shared
And frequently we’ll find
That when we let our guard down
A mutual gain we’ll see
So I will share my story
If you’ll share yours with me.

Karen Holmes
9 October 2010