This being human is
a single drop of rain
in the ocean.
A rippling,
a small displacement within the order of things,
quickly remedied.
A seed,
Drifting on wind currents, planting itself,
In an ocean garden.
An answer,
Disguising itself in questions, until
It questions itself.
A question,
Posed oh so quietly: Could the ocean exist
Without me?
This being human is
an ocean.
I wrote this poem from a prompt in dVerse, the virtual pub for poets. The challenge is to write a metaphor poem that starts with the words ‘This being human is…’ The inspiration for the prompt is a poem by Rumi titled “The Guest House”.
Seamus O'Shaughnessy, Jr. 
I love how the raindrop turns into an ocean! 🙂
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Thank you! A raindrop without an ocean is probably lonely, so I didn’t want the raindrop to be lonely haha
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Wow absolutely loved the poem!
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thank you! glad you liked it! 🙂
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My pleasure!
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Gentle and meditative, my guess is no.
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I hope the answer is no! I guess only time will tell! thank you for reading!
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You’re very welcome.
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Ah, what is it to be human and what is life all about….the age old questions. I like your “take” on the subject.
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Thank you!
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That last question is powerful and I often feel that life is an ocean. It can definitely knock us down. But I think it’s because it wants us. We are definitely wanted! 💖
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For sure! A wave cannot knock you down unless a thousand water drops decide to rush towards the shore. 🙂
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Love this, nice take on the Rumi poem
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Thank you! Having re-read the Rumi poem a few times in writing my own I can see why his work is so enduring. That poem is so layered with meaning its incredible!!
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You’re welcome. He is my favorite poet.
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A fantastic choice! I just got a new translation of his works, excited to read it!
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Enjoy! I often find solace in his words. 😊
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Awesome response to prompt. Love the drop-to-ocean transition. Very smooth write.
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Thank you thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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“an answer, disguising itself in questions.”
Life’s hidden meanings in front of our very eyes.
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For sure it is!
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Welcome to the Poets Pub, Evan, and thanks for sharing your metaphor poem. I love the image of ‘a single drop of rain in the ocean’ and the idea that being human is a ‘small displacement within the order of things, quickly remedied’; Mother Nature certainly does put us in our place from time to time. The quietly posed question is a deep one – like the ocean.
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Thank you, I am enjoying the prompts and I’m glad you liked the poem!
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Love this especially “quickly remedied”
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Thank you!
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This being human is being a part of something larger than self. And sometimes getting confused whether you exist therein at all. Because you get lost among your other selves.
… An answer,
Disguising itself in questions, until
It questions itself.
Wasn’t this the idea?
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Yes! To see the world as it is is to see less than the world. We are both raindrop and ocean, but it is sometimes difficult to see ourselves beyond that discrete raindrop, falling through the air, not yet landing in the ocean!
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Yes… I can relate. 🙂
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That shifting perspective how a raindrop turns to an ocean.
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Glad you liked it!
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Love this especially; “An answer, disguising itself in questions, until it questions itself.”💝💝
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Thank you, glad you liked it! 🙂
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So lovely!
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Thank you!
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WOW-Good, definitely.
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This is such a wonderful poem to read.
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Thank you! 🙂
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