Universally Unique
My story is not unique
but it’s uniquely mine
My experience is universal
yet my own
People say, “me, too!”
But how can they know
They weren’t there
My pain is not theirs
What others have been through
mirrors my ordeals
with a twist
______________________________
For the Quadrille prompt at dVerse Poets Pub today Grace wants us to use the word “twist” in a quadrille of exactly 44 words, no more, no less. I wrote all but the last stanza of this last night with the hopes I could work in the given word and make it a quadrille. Head on over the dVerse and check out some of the other twisted quadrilles the pub patrons have to offer today.
The twist is no one can really know your journey as you alone walk it…
So true. And yet I am amazed by the similarities, the universal themes, that run through all our lives. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
The twist is that we are not all the same. Truth!
Bekkie
And yet there are similarities that connect us all. 🙂
Personal stories have to be told, bring it to the light: each her and his own.
Wise words. No matter how much things seem the same, they can never be. We are all unique in our perceptions.
Very well said. Although it could provide a little comfort knowing others can relate, it can’t ever be the same.
It definitely does provide some comfort, and makes me feel like my experiences were not in vain if I can make someone else feel they are not alone.
“My story is not unique
but it’s uniquely mine”
So true!
Strictly speaking you are right, but empathy and sympathy can work wonders.
I agree, but it’s hard to fit it all into just 44 words. 😉
What a great reminder to fully listen to another person’s story rather than so eagerly jumping in with our own.
So true, Linda. And ‘twist’ got the last word!
“My story is not unique / but it’s uniquely mine” nothing can be truer than this…
And so very true. We all have kinda sorta maybe similar but definitely not the same.
I like that – “kinda sorta maybe similar.” 🙂
So true. We can sympathize, but can never really understand someone else’s pain.
So true. No one has the exact same experience as another…in many ways.
The overall theme is very true, yet as humans we still try
Ah yes, I know just what you mean … er ….
Thanks! I needed a good chuckle and this fit the bill. 😉
no two stories are the same, but the recurring theme of loss and grief is what allows humans to share sympathy and empathy despite whatever differences in details.
Well done. I think so many people do not know how to just listen and they feel awkward and then jump to fill the space with a “me to” or “I know someone” or “well, I think you should”….
Listening – a look in the eye — a pat on the hand. A quietness – sometimes that’s all that is wanted – that in itself is a validation.
Your words ring true here. Very well said.
I confess that just listening is not one of my strong suits, though I’m working on it. Thanks for the reminder.
ah….something we all can work on 🙂
very cleverly written.
Even if someone has had the same thing happen to them–each person will experience it differently. Wise observation, Linda.
I think we may all experience the same, but the impact and depth are unique to each and everyone ~ Love the twist in the end & thanks for playing along ~
The pain is never universal.. it’s unique, it’s yours…
True. But the fact that we all experience pain of some sort is universal. We live in a broken world, each and every one of us.
So very true. I always try to say, “I understand” rather than “I know exactly what you mean.” No two stories are ever the same.