Western Motel by Edward Hopper, 1957

Welcome to the dVerse Poets Pub for Tuesday Poetics. I’m Kim of Writing in North Norfolk and I’m your bartender for today. It has been a long time since I last hosted Poetics and I pondered long and hard about it. And then I came across this poem by Rumi:

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.​

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

​Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

​Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

The extended metaphor in Rumi’s poem got me thinking about the art of being human, how we differ from other creatures on this planet, and how our beliefs and opinions affect our ability to be human.

The challenge is to write a metaphor poem that starts with the words ‘This being human is…’ It does not have to be in the same format or style as Rumi’s, and you can compare being human to anything you want: a building or place, an object, something natural or something manufactured, a ritual or an everyday act. It is up to you to explore whatever it is in your poem.

If you are new to the Poets Pub, here’s how to join in:

• Write a poem in response to the challenge.
• Enter a link directly to your poem and your name by clicking Mr Linky below and remember to check the little box to accept the use/privacy policy. You will find links to other poets and more will join so check back later to read their poems.
• Read and comment on other poets’ work – we all come here to have our poems read.
• Please link back to dVerse from your site/blog.
• Comment and participate in our discussion below, if you like.  We are a friendly bunch of poets.
• Have fun.