BELONGING

/ delphini510

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BELONGING

Where do we belong, each and every one?
What makes our soul sing and our work dance,
what do we seek, in stillness,
alone?

So many questions and no answers,
a teacher I am not.

I love the ocean, both when it rages and smiles,
also I love the forests, meadows and rocks.
They all have their voice, clear and sincere.
As they roar and whisper their eternal truths.

Not a false note nor a lie to be heard,
no lures and baits, just joy and veracity.
The rocks join in with healing vibes.

Among these I belong, feel peace and calm,
where also birds and butterflies live.

Many cities are so beautiful, I grant you that;
In awe I visited many times.
Admired the artistry of buildings famed
of skill and design, of achievements seeming greater than man.

I love visiting these but find the noise and rush,
the tensions and fumes of the streets too much.
Although exciting pulse will attract.

All these thoughts matter, have validity,
but don’t we really belong
with those we love unconditionally
as they do us.

Know us and love us, 
Just for what we are, simply you or I.

© miriam ivarson

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60 thoughts on “BELONGING”

  2. Miriam, as always you write about the most profound topics in terms that are beguiling and deceptively simple. We all seek to belong, to find a place where we feel enveloped, cherished, happy … and I am in awe as your poem takes us the answer, the core of being …
    ‘we really belong
    with those we love unconditionally
    as they do us.’

    Along the way, you draw on nature with poetic skill and through personification, the forest and oceans find their voice, talk to you! Cities are incredible places but I too would not seek to live in one, finding the constant stimulation too much!

    A beautiful reflective poem this Saturday morning and one that will stay with me. Just one quibble .. you are wrong, you are most definitely a teacher to us all here! Happy Weekend! 😀❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Annika, as often, I feel a bit speechless reading your in depth and beautiful
      comments. This is no exception. I am quite cheered by your phrase ” deceptively simple”. I have the dream that all should understand and hopefully at times draw some comfort or ‘ wisdom’ from my meandering.

      As to nature, you are right, I draw frequently on my deep feeling for nature
      and personification probably is the right word. I bet you often feel the same about all around you.
      As to your quibble about being a teacher – I just laugh. You are just too sweet. 😘🌻.

      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. Beautiful musings on belonging and place Miriam. Like you, I often feel connected in nature and not so much in cities. I miss having a tribe or family to belong. Sometimes my WordPress family feels like that. Thank you.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  9. Thank you for your lovely comment Brad. I know you also love
    nature. Cities can be very beautiful as long as I don’t live there.
    I can see that you would miss not having a ‘ tribe’ but rest assured
    You have one here and as time goes we get connected and care.

    Miriam

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Beautifully written Miriam. I agree that there is beauty to be found in some cities with their historical architecture and art galleries, Their is also beauty in nature though it can be crueller than a cities people.

    Liked by 2 people

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  12. The question of belongingness must have cropped up in each era yet it remains unanswered; as there is no one answer to “where do we belong”…I guess this mystery can never get solved! I am delighted the way this poem proceeds Miriam. You have tried to wander all around with your words…the oceans and the forests may be so different yet they charm us with their music, uplift our spirits and whisper that we belong here, in love with them. How you have connected all these elements of nature with human beings and unconditional love… that elevated this poem to another level! I uttered wow at the end! I wish people could remain ‘just what we are!” Thanks for sharing an outstanding poem, dear friend.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Balroop, thank you for your intriguing and very honouring response. Maybe
      you are right and the mystery of where we belong is difficult to answer and there might be too many variables.
      I feel at times that it might be simpler than we make it.
      That said, Balroop, I do love travel and new experiences. But where do we feel whole? Possibly in many places.

      Your wow, at the end made me one happy poet. 💕.

      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. I live about as close to nature as one can get, Miriam, while still living in a home. A million acres of national forest are out our back door, and a beautiful river flows past out front door. As I write this, deer are grazing on the hill behind us and a bald eagle is circling high up in the sky. Snow covered mountains provide the backdrop for the eagle. And I live here with a wonderful woman who is truly my love and best friend.
    My favorite cities are ones that provide a vibrant slice of life with a combination of restaurants, coffee houses, bookstores, grocery stores, health care and cultural/entertainment opportunities all within walking distance. I am not a fan of suburbs. –Curt

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Curt, you live in a dreamland. How wonderful to have found and created a home in such beautiful environment. The peace of deers and eagles roaming too. To share this with the woman who is the love of your life and best friend … how perfect is that.

      I never lived in suburbs but it does not attract. We have some smaller towns around here that are both charming and personable. They are my favourites.

      Miriam

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      Reply

      • I’ve always enjoyed small towns, Miriam, having grown up in one. But I love nature more! 🙂 I could even handle a city if it incorporated a community with good restaurants, coffee houses, and bookstores nearby. Convenient shopping, medical care services, and good public transit would also be a necessity. Gee, I don’t want much, do I? –Curt

        Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you Roland for this beautiful response. Nature plays a big role in
      our lives and I readily admit my love and dependence on it. Don’t we all though have several facets in our personality. 😊 .

      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • Sharon, how it delights me to hear your happy response.
      Joyous memories brought forward and treasured and the value of being
      close to people you love. We all carry a need for this deep warming comfort
      in spite of the overwhelming joy of nature.

      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • Dear Annika,
      I saw you wrote about the upset of losing so many comments. Knowing you, you had put yourself and time into them. As I was one you approached for test I went in to my SPAM folder at My Site.
      Hold and below.
      There I found this one and approved it.

      I suggest all your blog friends affected try the same.
      hug
      miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Miriam, thank you so much for rescuing my comment and letting me and everyone know here! 😀 It was an odd day as all my comments made during the whole day disappeared, if it had been just one or two I would have assumed they’d gone to spam. With so many ‘gone’ I panicked, contacted WP, and then through comments or twitter contacted the people I could remember answering. The upside has been a chance to have a chat to everyone and all of us having a bit of a laugh at the vagaries of WP! 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  25. You nicely unfold some of the complications of belonging in this piece. How do we belong and allow others to feel they belong too? Ideas for consideration. I always feel that sense most when I am in the midst of nature.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  26. Thank you for your appreciative comment. I am also very closely affiliated to
    nature but know that for me it is best shared with those I love and who care for me. Like with nature, a healing stream.

    miriam

    Like

    Reply

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