Earlier this year, I wrote a short poem called Give Me a Word and then did what I often do with creative work. I let it sit. Not because it wasn’t ready, but because I wasn’t sure when the right moment would be to share it, or even how to share it.
That moment turned out to be my mom’s birthday.
My mom had a gift for storytelling. If you gave her a single word, she could turn it into a story. Sometimes it was thoughtful. Sometimes it was funny or unexpected. Sometimes it was quietly profound. Often it was silly. In every case, it was hers and shaped by the way she saw the world.
That idea stayed with me: if we’re given the same word, we won’t tell the same story.
Give Me a Word
by Megan Hanna
Give me a word and I'll tell you a tale.
It might not be the tale you would tell or expect to hear, because it's my tale.
There's room enough in the world for many tales.
So, if I give you a word, will you tell me a tale?
Our experiences, interests, memories, and worldviews shape the tales we carry. No two are identical. And when we take the time to listen (to really listen), the world becomes a richer place.
This poem reflects that belief. It’s also a quiet thank you to my mom, who, without ever setting out to do so, showed me that stories matter.
I’ve shared the poem in a short video, paired with an original piano piece I wrote with the same name. You can watch it here:
And so, if I give you a word, will you tell me a story? I can’t help but believe that the more time we take to listen to and understand each other’s stories, the better the world becomes.
Meraki Endeavors 