R E T R E A T

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R E T R E A T

The word evokes peace
A choice to find harmony, stillness;
Calming the jumbled, twisted knots
finding the kernel of who we are.

Ordered isolation carries fear,
The fear we all feel at times,
fear of unknown, of loss, of death.

We lose sight of light, of ourselves.
Forget inherent strength
Forget we can love and laugh.

Retreat has a garden, flowers and birds,
All just live and trust.
Could we learn deep hope?

Isolation sounds like prison walls
maybe the word invokes more fear?
The spirit of man will win through,

As the beautiful songs from windows,
Along a street in Italy;
Made me believe in the essence of man.

© miriam ivarson

48 thoughts on “R E T R E A T”

  1. Excellent!

    There are many reasons to pull back, get inspired, become spacious, detox, and find your people. Retreat comes from the Latin verb “to pull back.” So, retreat, or a retreat, is a place where you pull back from the world.

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  2. Thank you for your appreciative words.

    In the case in the poem the ” retractare” has to be at home in order to
    avoid contagions. My people are outside … but the telephone is busy as is the emails.

    miriam

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    • Thank you, Kate, for understanding. I felt bad when the word isolation was
      constantly on the news. This is the base to this poem, I had to find another word. Isolation sounds lonely and enforced whilst retreat can be in solitude
      and chosen.

      miriam

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  6. Let’s look at the positive aspects: A wonderful time to introspect, to understand solitude, to write and read and above all to connect with family and give undivided attention to children at home.
    Loneliness too can be ennobling especially when we don’t have a choice. 🙂
    Nice imagery that evokes hope Miriam. Yes, retreat has a garden!

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  11. Our neighbourhood has started the ritual of pot-banging and song each evening as our city “retreats’, I often take a chai tea out with an inspirational read, to find quiet spaces and hopefully settle my heart during these dark days.

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  12. Thank you for your warm and interesting comment. I only heard pot-banging
    on news but it must be quite an experience of solidarity. The thought of it happening here makes me smile, I would certainly help out.
    Your routine with tea and inspirational quote is peaceful.

    Miriam

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    • To hear the spirit of man rise above their fear is incredibly touching.
      As you know I choose to use the word Retreat as ‘isolation’ made things sound dark. Thank you, Jaqui for your lovely comment.

      miriam

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    • Thank you for your appreciative words. I use the word retreat to soften the
      freedom that has to be taken away for the common good. The haunting lines
      are in response to the haunting times and how it feels. 🦋.

      miriam

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  15. Your sharing of your heart and soul across the world here is powerful, assisted as it is by forces unseen in our favour. We have tools to help us. reason, organized research, technology, art, but most of all love for one another that surpasses understanding. Thank you for sharing your beautiful words today and keep writing.

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  16. Fireword, I thank you for your beautiful comment, it has brought tears to my eyes. Good tears. We have indeed got tools and wherewithal to work in harmony with our planet, the strong will now needs to be there.
    ” But most of all love for one another that surpasses understanding”. You say,
    that is the truth.
    Thank you for the encouragement to continue writing, at times I am filled with doubts. Guess many share that feeling. 🌻.

    Miriam

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    • Thank you so much, Kamal, for your beautiful comment. It lifts the spirit even
      when the going at times is harder. I still call my home and garden “retreat” even though we now are at ‘lock down’ .
      I will stay as safe as possible and hope you do too.

      Miriam

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      • Yes dear Miriam and you can stay at peace and calmness in this beautiful place. Welcome always. Stay safe and yes we are all quarantined in our houses too. Are not allowed to go out at all except maybe for getting food stuff for an hour only.

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  21. Thank you for reminding us of the power of perspective and for your beautiful vision of a garden where we remember our inherent strength and where we remember to love and laugh.

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    • I am so glad my words spoke to your heart, JoAnna. I had problem with the words ‘isolating’ and ‘ lock-up’ so the word retreat with a little garden came to me and I felt calm. As you say, where we remember to laugh and love.
      Thank you, JoAnna.

      Miriam

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  23. Thank you, Andrea. I love your comment. Words definitely have colours as much as paint. Retreat does not disturb the soul but enforced isolation does.
    We now all are in isolation but to myself I try and use softer words.

    Don’t you think this is a gift of good orators use. Knowing which colour word to will work.

    Miriam

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    • Well, B, it appears that I benefited from your retreat. I do so agree, it is
      an unnatural situation to be cut off from society as we know it but it has also
      brought time for new skills and interests. Deeper rooted ones.
      ❤️
      miriam

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