All of Us

Words

I write stories and poetry,

Both for myself.

But they are not the same. They do not hold the same meaning in my heart or mind or the world.

Stories are people. They are listened to and read and stay with us endlessly.

They are the places they take us and the people we meet and the adventures we live.

Poetry is something different. It is composed of single words and lines. Of phrases that will stick with us.

When we are old and worn and gray we will remember that line that meant so much to us at fifteen. That seemed to embody who we wanted to be and all we were inside. That captured us fully.

Poetry is powerful in its own way. It will give a voice to the mute and strength to the powerless.

But stories are the same. They will let us feel loved and we will know some characters better than our friends or families or ourselves. They will take us places that we may never know.

But both will give us a home in words.

Both will empower us to be brave and kind and fearless.

Both will give us something we would never have otherwise found.