HUMAN
AN EXPLORATION OF WHAT IT MEANS
An anthology of short stories and poems exploring the human condition,
social mores, and normative behaviors. What does it mean to be human?
by The Writing Journey
edited by Tim Yao, Melinda Borucki, and Mary O’Brien Glatz
What does it
mean to be Human? Scientists,
psychologists, theologians, and others have asked this question since
the beginning. In this anthology, The Writing Journey offers a
collection of creative reflections on the ever-changing prism we call
the human experience. What are the edges of being human? These stories
and poems plumb those boundaries, some with the lightness of ironic
humor and some with the heavy despair of reality. Enjoy these writers
as they explore the many facets of love, family, friendship, growing
up, growing old, death and dying, our fears, our needs, our
alienations, and our aspirations. Or can we define human at the edges of
our relationships between and among species, humans, and
technology?
Touched
A story by Tanasha Martin
Can we fully know love if touch is
never an experienced part of our lives? Once we experience it, could we
ever let it go?
The Fall
A poem by Arah Ko
A poignant truth is shared.
The Longing
A story by Mary
O’Brien Glatz
Can we live forever young in our
stories?
A Writer’s Lament
A found poem by
Todd Hogan
Damn! It’s sure hard to write.
Alexithymia
A story by Elaine
Fisher
“If only we all can ‘break through
the barrier’ that keeps us from loving, understanding, and accepting
those who are different from us.”
Call Me Ciri
A poem by Tim Yao
How smart will our smartphones become?
Mamihlapinatapai
A story by Keshia Nowden
“The course of true love never did
run smooth.” ―William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Dependable Friend
A poem by Melinda Borucki
Is it human nature for karma to
balance the scales?
Had This Been Fiction
A story by Ana Koulouris
Is true life stranger than fiction?
An Exploration of Social Mores and
Normative Behaviours
A story by Edison Pongklub
Why yes, it’s exactly what it sounds
like. Isn’t everything?
Personal Bubble
A poem by Tanasha Martin
You dedicate your life to the mission
of saving the human race. What if the thing you are saving them from is
the very thing you fear the most?
Living with Humans
A story by Stephanie Ewing
Paul McCartney has said you can judge
people’s “true character” by the way they treat animals, but what if
the animals are also judging us?
Living Too Long–an Alphabetical Ranting
A poem by Elaine Fisher
Twenty-six ways to see your future.
The Conversation
A story by Mary O’Brien Glatz
Can old love be made new again?
We are Folded
A story by Tim Yao
What are the responsibilities of
higher order beings to those who are simpler?
All Smiles
A poem by Tanasha Martin
Basic behavior is only human from our
perspective. Other humans may view that behavior very
differently—careful what you assume.
The Employment Offer
A story by Todd Hogan
What are the consequences of the
words we never say?
The Sin Tree
A poem by Keshia Nowden
We all have our sins to bear, but
it’s not easy to cut them out of your life.
Scout Days
A story by Melinda Borucki
A slice of life, a taste of
nostalgia, and a memory of a risk well taken.