Storyteller’s Horizon

Storyteller's Horizon Poem

Everywhere I walk there is a story and

Whether or not it wants to be heard

I stop and listen.

These stories well in the sidewalk cracks and

Etch themselves through vibrant mural

Flower petals embroidered over with dew

The stone wall heavy with ivory

Grapefruit freshly sliced and sprinkled over with lavender

My leather slippers kiss the cobblestone

Marry fragmented dreams and discover reality

When I am not listening

I am telling my story

Leaving pieces in the earth for others to pick up.

Photo by Pickled Stardust

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46 Comments

  1. 188 – Horizon v2 – Beach Walk Reflections: Thoughts from thinking while walking

    […] Storyteller’s horizon (a poem by a frequent visitor here) […]

  2. kevinashton

    I’m often intrigued by your photos and illustrations that accompany your posts, do you create them yourself Layla?

    1. Layla Todd

      I do not, but I love finding them! ❤️

  3. Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

    I think it is part of the poet’s mission to be present and mindful and to share their perceptions. A poem may encourage readers to also be mindful and to see the “stories” that surround them.

    If any poem can fulfill such a mission, surely this exquisite and powerful poem can. Beautiful, Layla! <3

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you, Cheryl, for sharing your thoughts on how both reading and writing can create and encourage meaningful experiences! ❣️

  4. Brendan

    St. Columba, who founded the Iona abbey in 563 AD, said once, “humans of dust, you are nothing but a story.” So all of these narratives piece together a self and a world. Keep listening, and tell us the stories you hear!

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you for reading, Brendan!

  5. haoyando

    What a beautiful picture and an intriguing story about stories existing everywhere. I have to say I have missed all the interesting stories. Only the boring ones are more conspicuous in life…

    1. Layla Todd

      I love that you found this poem’s perspective interesting! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. ❣️

  6. MJ

    What a beautifully scripted work of poetry. 💗

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you so much for reading!

  7. Keep Calm & Drink Coffee

    Your stories are surely in my heart dear Layla!

  8. Jeff Flesch

    It’s an amazing experience, presence. The ability to listen, when mind wants something else, to detach and just be present to what truly is. You’ve crafted a sublime rendering of presence, and of the stories that make us. Gorgeous, Layla!

  9. Katie

    Very beautifully written!!!

  10. Karima Hoisan

    So beautifully thought out and paced Layla. Your poetic eyes wide open for the small things missed by most and then the ending wraps it into a continual loop cycle, where we gather from what others, who walked before us, left behind.!! Gorgeous writing!!

  11. Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.com

    There’s nothing like walking alongside a poet! Thank you for sharing, always! 💕✨💚

  12. Belladonna

    Layla there isn’t anything better than a great listener!!! Beautiful my friend 💖💖💖

  13. Baydreamer - Lauren Scott

    Your first verse pulled me in, Layla. What a journey, so stunning. Love this. 💞

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you so much, Lauren! 💞

  14. Dawn Pisturino

    I love this, Layla!

  15. Michele Lee

    Both gentle and powerful, Layla. You have so beautifully described a poet’s journey, your journey, observing and sharing details with a poet’s sensitivity and heart. 💖

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you for this lovely comment, Michele! 💖

      1. Michele Lee

        You’re welcome! 💗

  16. Eugenia

    Beautifully crafted piece, Layla! Something going on with your blog dear! The structure doesn’t look right.💖

    1. Layla Todd

      I reinstalled my Jetpack and the connection meddled with my site. A most unfortunate incident which I believe I have fixed . . . oh, the joys of self-hosting! 💖

      1. Eugenia

        I understand since I self-hosted for a while.💖

  17. The Sicilian Storyteller

    Yes! The amazing 💫life of a storyteller and the wonderful happenings we cannot control!

  18. Lucia’s Fiction

    I loved this so much 💗

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you so much, Lucia! 💖

  19. barbaraleaver

    Wonderful poem that brings to mind of stories past and present

    1. Layla Todd

      Fabulous interpretation! Thank you for sharing. 💖

  20. Cindy Georgakas

    love your poem and words so beautifully crafted Layla❣️

    “Leaving pieces in the earth for others to pick up.”
    love this tradition and your astute heart and ears. 💞

    1. Layla Todd

      Loving that you share your favorite line, Cindy! 💖

  21. According to Chren

    The imagery reminds us of spring. Great poem!

  22. Grace

    Awww Layla, this is truly one of my favorite pieces of yours! What an elegant take on this world of stories and the balance in writing your own. Magical magical writing on so many levels, my friend. The little details touch the heart 🤍🤗

    1. Layla Todd

      What a lovely comment, Grace! Thank you ever so much. 💖

  23. Kym Gordon Moore

    Layla, this is such a beautiful segue to the rest of your poetry –

    Everywhere I walk there is a story and
    Whether or not it wants to be heard
    I stop and listen.

    Yes girlfriend, stories are everywhere, whether we hear them or not…they still speak. Thanks for sharing your beautiful composition. Have a lovely day! 😍💐🥰💖😊

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you, Kym, for sharing all the ways this poem connected with you! 💖

      1. Kym Gordon Moore

        Oh girlfriend, it did. There was so much to connect to…looking beyond the immediate. Loved it girlfriend. 🤗🙏🏼🥳🦋🥰

  24. Jacqui Murray

    What a wonderful poem. I will have those words in my head today, as I do whatever it is that takes all day to do!

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you, Jacqui! Love that this piece stuck with you.

  25. taurusingemini

    Stories are everywhere, waiting to be told, it’s just that, we often get too caught up in our own lives, we can’t, hear them…

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you for sharing how this poem inspired your thoughts! 💖

  26. AmyRose🌹

    Beautiful, Layla. Bless you for sharing these words.

    Not sure what is going on with your blog but there is definitely something amiss with the way it looks.

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you for reading, Amy!

      I did have an issue with a plugin connection, which I have now fixed . . . 💖

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