Your best moments
wind up on a wall in some museum,
but you know that there are better moments
that you never shared with anyone.
This is when you realize
that your stuff isn’t you.
You could be the greatest _______ ever to have lived,
but the stuff you show the world isn’t you.
It’s just the stuff
that happens to flow through
this coincidental grouping of circumstances
people think of as you.
It could have been anybody.
YOU could have been ANYBODY.
And that’s why your stuff
winds up on a wall in some museum.
It’s relatable.
Trail Wood,
1/29
In the poem “Relatable,” we traverse the nebulous boundary between self and possessions, exploring the intricate dance of identity and materiality. This journey challenges our perceptions of ownership and self-expression, inviting us to reflect on the essence of who we truly are.
The Illusion of Ownership
The opening lines, “You are not your stuff and your stuff isn’t yours,” immediately strike at the heart of our relationship with material possessions. This statement echoes the nexistentialist view that we are not defined by the things we possess or accumulate. It’s a profound reminder that our true essence lies beyond the physical and material.
The Disparity Between Public and Private Moments
As we progress, “Your best moments wind up on a wall in some museum, but you know that there are better moments that you never shared with anyone,” highlights a poignant truth. Often, the moments we cherish the most are those that remain unseen by the world. It speaks to the private versus public self, where the most authentic experiences often remain hidden.
The Ephemeral Nature of Identity
The poem delves deeper, saying, “You could be the greatest _____ ever to have lived, but the stuff you show the world isn’t you.” Here, we confront the idea that our identity cannot be fully captured or defined by our accomplishments or the roles we play. This underscores the ephemeral nature of identity, suggesting that what we present to the world is merely a fraction of our true selves.
The Coincidental Nature of Existence
Further, “It’s just the stuff that happens to flow through this coincidental grouping of circumstances people think of as you,” suggests that our lives and identities are, to some extent, products of chance. This perspective aligns with nexistentialism, where existence itself is seen as an end, without needing external justification.
The Universality of the Human Experience
Finally, “It could have been anybody. YOU could have been ANYBODY. And that’s why your stuff winds up on a wall in some museum. It’s relatable,” brings us to a universal truth. The shared human experience, with its joys, sorrows, successes, and failures, is what makes our stories resonate with others. It’s a celebration of the relatable nature of our collective journey.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
We explored the poem “Relatable,” which addresses the themes of identity, the ephemeral nature of material possessions, and the private versus public self. It reflects on the idea that what we show the world is not entirely who we are, and our true essence is beyond the material and the observable. The poem also embraces the universality of the human experience, recognizing that our stories, in their most authentic form, are what connect us.
Glossarium
Nexistentialism: The belief that existence is its own justification, free from the need for external meaning.
Ephemeral: Something that is transient or short-lived, especially in the context of identity and material possessions.
Public vs Private Self: The contrast between the self we present to the world and our true, often hidden, inner self.
Universality: The quality of being universal, applicable to all cases, or relatable to a broad audience.
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” – Pablo Picasso
In whispered breezes, tales untold,
Of selves and stories, new and old,
Where identity like a river flows,
Beyond the stuff that comes and goes.
In private moments, silent, dear,
Away from eyes and ears to hear,
Lies the essence, pure and true,
Of what it means to be, to view.
Not in possessions, grand or small,
Nor in the accolades that fall,
But in the heart, where secrets lie,
Underneath the open sky.
For we could be anyone, indeed,
In this grand play, where souls are freed,
To connect, reflect, in joy and pain,
In this cosmic, relatable refrain.
We invite you to share your reflections on the concepts of identity, material possessions, and the universality of human experience.
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