Traces of the Soul (haibun)

Walking and cycling used to be such a great way to get in touch with self. In the past few years my work hours have changed, as well as my health and so walking has decreased somewhat.  

I have written many poems and verses in my other blog which has helped;  and also found journaling and writing very helpful most of my life but last year I started a blog under a nom de plume and wrote uncensored  especially when I was in terrible pain either emotionally or physically suffering with chronic pain.  I could not help but notice how therapeutic...cathartic many times, this was for me.  I was getting reacquainted with me but also, more importantly, loving all me including my dark side.   

When I saw this prompt entitled “Solitude” I could not help  but write about it immediately. {despite that it is 5am}.    I was married 24 years having left my family home;   so basically for 43 years I had never ever lived alone.  That was a huge change for me and not easy.  I slipped into dark moments, until I finally started getting to know ME. Isolation, solitude and loneliness are not the same. I love my solitude... have always enjoyed quiet times to refuel But this alone time, living in a city where I knew no one but 2 relatives I had not seen in over 30 years forced me to stare at solitude right in the face for days, months, years.

 

[...] "Solitude is a silent storm that breaks down all our dead branches; Yet it sends our living roots deeper into the living heart of the living earth". [...] Khalil Gibran 

 

The plus side of facing these solitary moments was getting in touch, finally, with my inner self.  I had another relationship for several years but never moved in with another man.  The fear of losing my “self”  seemed too threatening.  

My deep soul searching writing last year, however, opened my heart and soul more than years of therapy.  I was finally coming home and  getting acquainted with me through traces here and there of my soul. 

And now with this Japanese form of poetry I am finding it is like reflecting on nature and looking inside our selves constantly...So this prompt is a real treat to write.

 

Our host has written 2 beautiful haiku:

 

deep down inside

hiding in the deeper layers of the soul

divine inspiration

© Chèvrefeuille

 

scent of incense

guiding me through the depths of my soul -

showing the light

© Chèvrefeuille 

 

© Clr '14 Solitude



 

writing for hours

removing clutter lodged,

crevice of the soul,

bumped into my inner self

wandering towards the light.

 

scented candles

keep my muse and me company

insightful script. 

(c) Tournesol

 

 

 

Carpe Diem 542 Inner Self - Solitude

 

Posted by Cheryl-Lynn Roberts 2014/08/17