Solitude verses Loneliness

What is the real difference between solitude and loneliness if not a spiritual matter?

Cutting to the chase, I sometimes find myself alone and enjoying the simple peace and independence that such time allows: reading, writing, listening to music, or riding the currents of thoughts and dreams. This is a type of alone time I truly cherish - I think of this when I use the word solitude.

Then there are times when I'm uncomfortably alone. Times when my thoughts and emotions run chaotic and intense, times when tumultuous tides seem to push me about from one feeling to another - and my natural reaction is to try to change the way I feel from the outside. These are dangerous times. Strangely enough, I am as likely to have these moments of loneliness when I am in a crowd of people as when I am alone. Loneliness seems to come from internal unmet needs, a sense - real or perceived - of lack, of want.

There are also moments when, as I live my life and learn the patterns of relationships and inward realities - that my loneliness will turn to solitude.

Recently, I came across this song by Suzanne Vega that captures part of this experience beautifully. I do like her poetic lyrics.

Poem by Unremembered Author

When I was in elementary school, I was given the assignment to memorize a poem. I found one at my home, tucked into a book and learned it proudly.  Today I do not know who wrote it and haven't been able to find the author's name, but I remember the poem. If you happen to know of the author, I'd love to be informed.

A  Friend

I want to help you all I can
In all I say or do
Because you are so friendly
And I think the world of you

My services, however great
May not amount to much
But they are always your to use
By any sound or touch

I want to keep you comforted
And turn your tears away
And carry out whatever wish
Your loving lips may say

I want to keep you smiling
And forever to be sure
That you possess the happiness
That surely will endure

-Unknown

Friday Flash 55 - Myth Defined

I'm not sure the protocol for playing, and am open to direction. But, I discovered Friday Flash 55 over at Jingle. Here is my Flash Friday 55 Poem. (Write a poem that is fiction in 55 words)



Myths are made of misfortune
Reasoned out by those who failed
and Survived
then Thrived

Myths are tall tales of adventure
Carried on by those misled
and Corrected
then wised

Myths are truer than facts
Recorded by scholars who suceed
and die
then forget

Myths are larger than reality
Confounded by dreams remembered
for eternity

Familiar - On Knowing Your Muse

Familiar

who are you,

this creature with my face and eyes,

small and fleet running rampant on my soul?

what quest brings you here again

to devour my joy and chase away my peace

ever laughing as you go, flinging scorn and disdain?

come, troubler of spirits

rest here on my lap and tell me what fuels your frenzy

how comes your recent troubled flight into my thoughts?

sit with me

let us wait together for the rain

waterfalls often bring sprites in drops of tears and sweet dew.

for i know you like them so

abide here with me then - my familiar.

A Man's Poem - I Need

I need

I know I am able to stand alone
I know I can work hours and days
To build our home

When feelings rise that would weaken me
I know I will stride through them
Fearlessly

But tonight my love I need your hand
I need your touch
A heart to understand

I need to be weak and broken through
I need your passion
I need you

I know how to be decisively stern
I know I can remain
Standing firm

Lose or win I speak honestly
Clasped on to the task
I will believe

But tonight my love I need your hand
I need your touch
Your heart to understand

I need to be weak, helpless and lost
I need your passion
No matter the cost

I need to be weak and broken through
I need your passion
I need you

Even Though - A Poem That Never Happened

even though
our hands have never touched
fingers playing gentle games

even though
our eyes have never gazed
into crystal hues of wanting

even though
our lips have never met
creating passages for lusting

even though
our breath has never mixed
making whispers in the early dawn

even so
i know you

Top 5 Places NOT to Tweet

As much as I love twitter and as often as I feel compelled to share real time thoughts, data, experiences and feelings with my Tweeple - there are just some places and times NOT to Tweet.

I only mention this because I have either wanted to or know someone who has...


1. A Funeral - Can you imagine the grave-side tweet? "The casket is almost in the ground. Off to Star Bucks in 15"

2. Church - "This sermon is powerful and long! " - Please! Leave the smart phone at the door. It is WAY too distracting and downright rude to have a phone interrupt a sacred moment and there are times when we should unplug from technology to be with one another and the Divine.

3. Cinema - "OMG! Taylor Lautner just took his shirt off!" Really? Can't your commentary on New Moon wait until after you've watched the entire movie and I don't have to be blinded by your phone screen?

4. Theatre - True confession. I did tweet during the intermission of a play I attended recently, and I SO wanted to share some of the laughter from the musical comedy as it happened - but really, should I?

5. During Sex - I promise you - someone has, or at least tweeted as such. I don't even want to know how or WHY!?

So, what would you add? Has your tweeting gone too far? Gotten you in "twouble?"

Blogger Inspiration 101

Sometimes I run across a post floating around in blog land that just hits me the right way and I feel compelled to write in respond. Recently this happened while I was over at Monica's Place. I began a comment and it turned into a poem. Thought I would share it here.


Monica Unwrapped

layers and layers folded upon you
thin, airy fabrics of almost unnoticeable existence
one is nothing, an inconvenience

another layer merely a moment of discomfort
laced together slowly, one by one
wrapping themselves around you

one day the weight is unbearable
one day the discomfort binds you
one day you feel cocooned

time
time passes
time passes slowly
time passes slowly and you grow

too big for the encasement
too substantial for the drapes of bondage
too complete for holding back

...

emerge in your time
some of us already see your beauty
and believe

believe in yourself, delicate butterfly
believe, feel the sun
flutter on the breeze and fly…

Gently Walking

Gently Walking

beads of perspiration mark trails down my temples

paths of the journey of necessity, vigilance

arms stretch outward to maintain balance

delicate steps along the precipice of doubt

pain

once more muscles constrict and release the rhythm

of a task that moves me ever forward

mental anguish and withered cravings scream

threats of rebellion and unwillingness

fear

while gentle wisps of liberated mist rise from the earth

once bound to soil and stone now free, rising

swirling forms of supportive hands caress my frame

lifting forever a small piece of life's weighty matter

relief

i stroll on

Not A Dead End - Signs and Words

I am a committed believer that the right words work wonders and the wrong words go nowhere.

Just down the road from us is the local Hospice Care Center. Hospice is an amazing organization and I have the utmost respect for their work. I am even close personal friends with one of the early 'founders' of the organization, Elizabeth Callari.

To get to the Hospice Center near me, you turn off of a busy thoroughfare and onto a side street that ends just beyond the Center. I just heard a curious fact recently. Apparently, the city had to be persuaded to replace the DEAD END sign with a NO OUTLET sign at the entrance to the street.

Am I wrong for finding humor in this?