Belonging, Storytelling and Questions

To fold in to fit in or to be you and belong?

To fit in

is the origami

of folding yourself up, all tiny,

to slide into the ever-closing space

accidentally left open for you.

/

To belong

is to be genuinely welcomed

into a space held open,

waiting with open arms

to embrace who

you

truly are.

This poem was first published here.

***

How to grow through powerful storytelling

To tell your story

and meet someone

who actively listens,

to your perspective

regardless of how different

their beliefs are —

/

that is powerful.

/

To tell your story

without having someone

shift away to comparison

of the calamities of the world

to minimize how small your

“problems” are —

/

that is powerful.

/

To tell your story

for the first time

without interruptions,

without being reframed,

without gaslighting —

/

that is powerful.

/

The power of active listening,

but also the power of writing,

of storytelling

such that others might

find solace in your words —

/

that is the first bud of growth.

This poem was first published here.

***

Tendencies

When someone comes to you

to share a problem,

do you try to solve their problem?

or do you listen?

/

When you go to someone

to share a problem

do you want them to offer solutions?

or do you want them to listen?

/

Do you treat others

the way you want to be treated and supported?

Or do you treat others

the way they want to be treated and supported?

This poem was first published here.

***

Thirsting for more? Check out Tiny Poems from the Pandemic: Poetry Collection of All The Moments in Between by Lucy Dan