Amphora
This human being is a vessel unlike any other,
for no two vessels are the same. Some hold
shame, and others flow with pride
unstopped. Some know a joy that overflows,
while others hold only sadness. This vessel
holds each, balanced in a way that defines it.
This poem is my response to Poetics: The Art of Being Human, the prompt
from Kim at dVerse ~ Poets Pub, with the prompt to write a poem that opens with
“This being human is…” and explores what it is to be human.
Image source: depositphotos (amphora)
Excellent!
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Thank you. 🙂
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Love the twist, Ken. Vesselriffic!
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Thanks!
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Beautiful. ❤
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🙂 Thank you.
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A great metaphor for being human! Clay on the wheel, we all come out unique. A vessel that holds whatever we allow into it. Well done.
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Thank you, Dwight.
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You are welcome
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“Clay on a wheel” is very apt, Dwight. Our shape is always evolving, learning from each new experience.
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If only there was a key to know how to find that balance when you feel over-filled and about to spill over.
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Apt definition and good metaphor using a clay vessel.
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Thank you, Lisa.
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You’re welcome.
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Very nicely stated human metaphor.
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Thanks, Ron.
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Ken, this is fantastic. You know what’s funny? I didn’t write about being human as a metaphor for a vessel, but take a look at the image, which I included above my poem – you’ll get it right away ❤
I really love you work.
Yours,
David
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Thanks, David. 🙂 Your image is just right. We’re always being shaped.
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Oh. Nicely done, Ken! I agree with Dwight about unique vessels that contain whatever we allow in, all coming from a simple piece of clay.
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Thank you, Kim. Dwight’s reference to clay on a wheel is not something I had considered, but that simple piece of clay continues to be shaped right to the end.
It’s prompts like yours that make me think outside the box, so thank you.
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I was just reading an article about finding balance–youve captured the essence in a few well chosen words. I like also that you chose a vase with cracks. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe. When I saw the photo, I thought of those cracks as experience.
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I love the metaphor of human as amphora, some with cracks that show!
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Thank you, Ingrid. Despite those cracks, we hold up, learning from our experience.
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Indeed, and the more interesting for it!
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Yes, no two the same, and I love the vessel of balance.
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Thank you, Paul. May we all find balance.
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Yes indeed.
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You are so wise, Ken!
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Thank you, Lynne! I’ll take that compliment. (Please ignore any instances to the contrary.)
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I love your metaphor, Ken. Sometimes our vessel runneth over, and sometimes it seems half full….how we view it has much to do with our journey.
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I think you are right about being vessels, and maybe what matters is what we fill it with,
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And we’re always filling it.
Thank you, Björn.
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Excellent metaphor, Ken…and perhaps the kiln of trial refines us.
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Thank you, Lynn. Yes, and to recognize the value of that which we hold.
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This is brilliantly rendered, Ken 🙂 I love the idea of humans as vessels. It explains a lot about how some are filled with positivity while others are led astray. 💝
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Thank you, Sanaa. If only we could be objective in assessing ourselves.
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You said it all!
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Thanks!
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Excellent metaphor!
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Thank you.
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So wonderfully expressed Ken, so true.
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Thank you, Rob.
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what a wonderfully concise beauty this has thank you
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😀
And thank you!
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This is such a good metaphor, Ken. I really like: “This vessel
holds each, balanced in a way that defines it.”
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Thank you, Merril. I was well into the poem before I realized I had transposed “human” and “being.” By then I decided it was the only way for me to reach that final line.
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I noticed the change, but I thought that’s just what you had intended. 😀
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We are indeed a vessel filled with all our trials and tribulations. May your vessel be filled with hope, love and happiness.
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Thank you. 🙂
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