True Words Tuesdays: Telling Stories

"Don't forget—no one else sees the world

the way you do, so no one else

can tell the stories that you have to tell.”

                   — Charles de Lint

When you’re drawn, as I am, to writing narratives

based on life and all of its glorious and gritty details,

sometimes you find yourself questioning

whether your story matters, why anyone would care,

if you have the right to write it down

and put the narrative out into the world.

At least I do.

It’s odd, when I think of it, because I never question

whether it’s appropriate to bring my visual images

into being, no matter how silly or surreal they might be.

Viewers of my pieces often see symbolism

that I didn’t consciously include, think they know

something about me from the symbolism they think they see.

Somehow, that doesn’t seem as revealing as putting

your truth down in words where people can examine them,

one by one, and measure your imputed worth.

DeLint's quote helps keep things in perspective.
So. . .  for all my writing friends. . . 
own your stories and put them out in the world.
I'll do the same.