Solitude is a funny thing. When I didn't have it, I craved it, but now that I have it, I can't help but feel a little anxious. I used to be so good at doing things on my own (living alone in a barn out in the middle of nowhere forced me to be). I was even proud that I was so content being by myself-- after all, it's not always easy. But things seem to be different at the moment, and clearly Solitude and I are out of touch. I'm just not used to those empty moments that can creep in with Solitude. My friends and family have been fantastic at helping me ward off these moments, but there comes a point when it's just up to me. And it is at this point, my dear friends, when Emptiness sneaks in as Solitude's unwanted sidekick.
I've found that one of the best ways to chase away Emptiness is to stay busy, and I've been doing that. I've had cocktail connections, brownie bowl parties, pink pearl snap nights, and the like. The problem is, I'm getting a little weary around the edges. I want to relax and just be. I want to make friends with Solitude again, but I'm afraid Emptiness will sneak up on us. This fear is silly and irrational I know-- fear always is-- but it is what it is, and right now the thought of an unwanted visit from Emptiness is making me a little anxious.
But, as my grandmother said, "this too shall pass." It always does. I am just out of touch with Solitude and haven't had to single-handedly ward off Emptiness in a while. With a little patience, though, my angst will go away. Soon I'll be able to shake hands with Solitude, and together we'll send Emptiness packing. :)
4 comments:
Oh no - we're doing it again - I'm in the middle of preparing a post about...solitude!
I don't mean to cramp your style. ;)
That's the funny thing about solitude, it's so different from loneliness (a point my post will touch on) but Emptiness can inhabit both realms, it seems. I've had moments when I wonder, 'why am I so down? I like being alone!' And that's when I just get up and go, anywhere, just for a while.
Clearly great minds think alike! :) I don't think you're cramping my style. In some ways it just futher proves that at the end of the day, people often have more in common than what meets the eye. We're all human trying to do the best with what life throws at us. I find that to be really encouraging. :)
Safe journey :)
Sounds like you're well on your way through the valley. Grand-ma was right!
Things will change. I sometimes think "things will always be like this," that's when I sometimes get discouraged. But then.. life goes on... it always has... sometimes it just takes a while.
(And this is a tough time of year for many, many people. Dang. You're sooooo human!)
Happy Friday!
Hi Miss H!
Thank you so much for dropping by my 365 sonnets blog. I'm very grateful for your support and visit! Please come by soon! Feel free to share my poetry.
It would be a really interesting idea to challenge your students (if you haven't already) to write a sonnet. That's how I really became fascinated with the poetic form. You might even consider showing how different forms of the sonnet work - beyond the Shakespearean form - for some variety.
Yours,
Mike
http://365Sonnets.blogspot.com
http://SomeTurbidNight.blogspot.com
http://VoglioTempo.blogspot.com
Post a Comment