"I have nothing to say and I am saying it, and that is poetry."
John Cage
The pivotal transgression-
to stifle the stories
that are only mine to tell
in some fear that I have
nothing to say.
Say it anyway. Open
my mouth, open
my heart and speak.
"Sometimes
a person needs stories
more than food
to stay alive."*
Imagine,
to live.
* Crow and Weasel by Barry Lopez.
The full quote is gorgeous: "Remember on this one thing, said Badger. The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them. If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive. That is why we put these stories in each other's memories. This is how people care for themselves."
I was again reminded of this truth today when Fireblossom of Shay's Word Garden posted a stunning poem telling a deep part of women's story. It was a case of me not knowing I needed a story until I read it. And it fed my soul.
Time to give up the myth of nothing to say- offered for Open Link Monday at Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads hosted by grapeling who graciously shared the opening quote to this post.
JOURNEY INTO ELDERHOOD: It's a journey with many stops along the way and enriched by the people I meet. So, stop in and visit. You're welcome...
"Time to give up the myth of nothing to say"
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious sentiment!!!!
Guess I do this, every day, in Pretty Blog Land. What I write/post is not Poetry or Lovely Fiction. But it is words, which I seem, to "need" to say. So, to "say" them, is good. :-)
Yes, it's good.
DeleteYo make a very valid point, Mary. Every day has its own story, and we should speak our stories rather than stifle them.
ReplyDeleteWe get to do that here.
Deleteoh i so agree on story....stories connect us and keep us going
ReplyDeleteand nourish us in many ways...
It's good to be encouraged to do this simple, vital thing.
DeletePeople tease me about having a story for every occasion, but that's what happens after a long and complicated life.
ReplyDeleteI really needed to read this today, Mary, just as you needed to read Shay's poem. We never know when our words are needed to touch someone's heart.
K
I like that - the value of long and complicated lives!
DeleteBreak the ice and state it, and state it well. It's there then for posterity. It's one's loss otherwise. If one is to read one's own old poem (say a 2 year old poem) it may just seem like someone else's poem. Sets me thinking! If I did not write it before it would have been my loss. Just write, that's my stand and the numbers built up! Great thoughts Mary!
ReplyDeleteHank
I've done that as well, read something from the past and wondered if I really wrote it. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteYes! I'm saying it anyway, too.
ReplyDeleteYou are gifted in how you say it, MZ. Thanks.
DeleteThis is what I too needed to hear/read. Thank you for your sharing your poem, your view~ Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYour welcome- see? It's important.
Delete'Say it anyway.'.. that is very peaceful and if it connects with someone that's an added bonus...wondeful lines..
ReplyDeleteA powerful bonus...
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ReplyDeleteThere is so much truth in this. Thanks for penning these words.
ReplyDeleteA pleasure, Sally. Thanks for coming by.
Deleteoh, I wasn't hosting! just the first posting :) please give credit where due :)
ReplyDeletereminds me of that Erasmus quote, about when he had a little money, he'd buy books - and if there was any left over, he'd buy food.
well penned ~
He sounds wise!
DeleteI love this. Augie famously told his sister, "Vi, you can't live on rainbows; that's why I'm making bread." (Famous in our family, because we revisit this statement often, from various perspectives.) I copied the quote because I think her rainbows equate to stories. Food for more discussion....
ReplyDeleteThey would love that book. It's such a good story. Thanks for Augie's quote, it's priceless.
DeleteI guess sometimes there is a story in silence (Cage). But I agree that at times we need a story even when we don't realize it.
ReplyDeleteI remember listening to my father's sermons, which I didn't find all that interesting ... until he told a story, then everything perked up.
My husband teaches presentation skills and he describes the same thing- we pay more attention to stories.
DeleteAll true. Thanks. K.
ReplyDelete