On Story

I.

Although I know

that story is a tool

with which to carve

the potent wave of feelings

and stir and move emotions

along the course the story indicates

Today

Let me not try

to carve them

Let me not define

with story 

what it is I feel

Let the weather go through me

the rain

the strong wind

that which beats against

the inside of my eyes

And let me be

like a field

that takes in rain

lets it spread deep into the roots

Compels the sudden bloom

of countless flowers.

II.

I once said,

to be without a story

is to be without a home

and you have to go and live

in someone else’s story

a supporting character

who sleeps on their couch

and drinks their leftover coffee

before they wake up

brown ring on the cup

no choice of your own

but now I see

To live without a story

is to live

on the edge that is always unfolding

with new surprises

A story you’ve never heard before.

©Wendy Mulhern

July 30, 2011