The speaker of "Only human" lists everything they are not: not steel, silver, gold or ruby. Each metal or jewel stands for a kind of value, whether strength, worth, or being missed, and the speaker claims none of it. Instead they settle on dirt, something walked over and forgotten. The line repeated at the start and end, "trod on and left behind," makes the poem feel like it is trapped in a loop.
The feeling underneath is deep self-doubt and hurt. The speaker seems to think they are only valued when useful ("loved when needed then / thrown aside") and describes being "used and abused," with unkind words. Contradictions like "full yet empty" and "everyone but nothing" suggest someone who feels both overlooked and overwhelmed. The mood is bleak and raw, and the title hints at a quiet plea: being "only human" may be the point, a person who is flawed and tired but still deserves care.