Solitude

From within myself I feel in humility

That wondrous sense of awe within my mind,

A special transcendence into tranquillity.

My memories rise to the surface to remind,

I’ve lost reality in the silence.

Travel through recollections of the past to find

My childhood, that distant, sweet time of innocence

Never alone, imagination led

Me to fantasy lands where truth made no sense.

I did not have to dream tucked snugly in a bed,

I could journey anywhere in the world

Solitude, for me, never has held any dread

For I was happiest when I sat small and curled

Safe, while inside my head adventures swirled.

Years later, solitude became a welcome friend,

As children clamoured hungry for their tea.

Mind frazzled by the day, I’d stand at my wits end

Then find a solution, distract them with TV.

Find solace in the kitchen, meal in pan,

Stare out at the garden with eyes that did not see.

Drift away to the whirring of extractor fan,

Not see jumbled toys piled beside the shed.

There was no direction for wilful my mind ran

Until a noise reminded me, kids to be fed,

Interrupted dreaming, no time to brood;

Children’s teas, husband’s dinner, bath then up to bed.

Oh what luxury the chance of solitude

Snatched moments in busy days, a short interlude.

Now solitude stretches from morning until night,

And in early hours of creeping morning

In the peace of darkness I like best to write.

Inspiration often comes as day is dawning

Shining brightly, golden as the sky,

The birth of a new day often ideas spawning.

Now I can be alone I do not have to try

Sitting in a crowded room, walking in a field,

I’ve learned to view with outer and inner eye.

Solitude, that place to chaos must never yield

For it is the essence of blissful life,

Often I find that my sanity it does shield.

It keeps me safe from all the daily strife,

And brings to me peace of mind when evil runs rife.