this is not about being human
how do you define what it means to be human?
laughter, that’s the best first response! is it right
but also a joke for us to answer that question?
and as soon as you say, what then about all those
many mirror faces you didn’t include?
see? anyone doubt god has a sense of humor?!
go ahead child, tell us about thought before
your first thought. describe new born feelings too.
it just gets more transparent – and – more opaque.
handshakes you didn’t anticipate.
and here’s this. it isn’t where the walls are placed,
it’s where the traffic wants to walk.
here is where I place my mattress my sheet.
here is where I lay myself down to rest.
neil reid © april 2012
comments:
Write a poem about how you define “humankind”, asks the prompt.
Well I’m off to my most delighted beginning – being contrary! Actually this poem came to wriggling fins by that first and best answer alone. While watching an otherwise reasonably well thought-out interview, the guest was asked this exact question, and his first real response was a bemused laugh to himself. Just perfect I thought! The rest of the poem is simply hooking fish.
Sorry to have been so little present this April NaPoMo in both writing and visiting. Month began with a rather brutal new work schedule and these last three weeks have been of rather debilitating illness. I am happy and honored however to have played my part in providing the WWP NaPoWriMo community space. That’s sort of been my poem for this month. With thanks to all who came and filled the space with your poems! ~neil
Written for the We Write Poems prompt #103 Humankind.
Responses of others are linked here.
