VALIDATION

/ delphini510

VALIDATION

Do we walk alone or in threes and fours
Seeking ourselves within friends?

Do we seek a soulmate to hold
and to be held. Keep the heart safe;
Although feeling it might break?

Do we seek validation among the many,
Do we seek and give, love and care.

I heard the story about a man

He walked for forty years in solitude,
a hermit in the vastness of mountains and lakes
in different countries, yet all the same,
freedom and truth from the greatness around.

I would like to meet this man, hear his thoughts,
Did he find wholeness and peace?
Among mountains, lochs and lakes.
Does it get lonesome at all?

Could it be that we are part of both?
Craving solitude but also a friend.
Someone who would walk with us
through pain and joy.

© miriam ivarson

54 thoughts on “VALIDATION”

  5. A beautiful way of expressing those conflicting needs Miriam. I think we all need a bit of both, but some of us need more of one than the other. I need more solitude, but I would be lonely if there was no human contact in my life.

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    • Andrea, a warm thank you for your thoughtful and to me – true words.
      From reading your posts I felt you liked solitude but as you say, human contact and friendship are important. Both play a role in our balance.

      Miriam

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      Reply

  6. Miriam, a beautiful and thought-provoking reflection upon this dichotomy of existence. Your first three stanzas directly address the reader and I quickly found myself musing upon my answers. I love your twist in the poem to the incredible story of the man living as a true hermit for over 4 decades. Nearly incomprehensible. As your final stanza sums up, I too find that I’m part of both worlds, ‘Craving solitude but also a friend.’

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    • Thank you, Annika, for your wonderful comment (review) of my poem. With positivity and skill you
      adress the different parts of the poem. I am so happy you liked it so. I believe it was when reading
      the story about the hermit who spent 40 years alone that I was inspired to write.
      Then observing how we interact in society – or not as may be-. I am also craving solitude but also a friend. 🙂 Bless

      miriam

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  11. I like your ponderings. They are easy to relate to. It seems we each have a place of balance along the spectrum of solitude and companionship which changes with time and needs. I’m thankful for options and for people who give me space and company when needed.

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  12. Alone is never alone. And there are times companionship isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I see that in this work or there would be no question marks, eh? Example – is dog a friend, a companion, or a planetary citizen showing us the value of “now”?

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    • Phil, thank you for your intriguing comment. I smile when you refer to the question marks. 😊. You are right and yet I tried to keep them to a minimum.
      I agree abut companionships too. A close friend is someone you can trust and share with. Relax with and talk on any subject.
      A dog is a faithful companion and many will say friend.

      The value of now I try to be aware of every day although failing quite often.🦋.

      Miriam

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      • There was nothing “wrong” about the question marks or anything, I simply found meaning in your use of them. God help us if we find ourselves in a world without punctuation!

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ahh.., I didn’t think you were criticising, I smiled as I had to contain myself
        or there would be three more. I do agree, we do need punctuation.😊.

        Like

    • Thank you, Balroop for your warm-hearted comment. I also need both but do understand solitude as well as love. Solitude might give you more strength
      to fully love. This is why I wanted the meet this man in the wild. 🌱.

      Miriam

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  15. Thank you for your great comment. I do feel that most of us so far
    prefer both sides of the coin. Solitude and companion. You add, of good energy people – how true that is. Blessings to you too 💖.

    Miriam

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. Life carries me along, usually into solitude. Although I have a great partner who is of like mind in this thing. Although:
    Once i spent so many years alone in the woods that i forgot how to relate to others. I guess i needed it, but don’t do that anymore. I always have a handful of truly great friends. Though we live far from one another. But at leasf we keep in touch on a regular basis.
    Strange, this journey!
    Good post, Miriam! 🙏❤️

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    • Bela, thank you for such an open and enlightening comment.
      I am in awe to hear you spent so much time in the woods, in solitude. No wonder you felt distance to others. Have you written about this?

      I am glad your partner and you can share this longing for quiet with each other. A handful of great friends is ample. You found a good balance.
      I totally agree with you, it is strange this journey. ♥️🌻.

      Miriam

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      • Strange, indeed. I contemplate it daily.

        I have written quite a bit about my woods life. Pine Trail leaps to mind; perhaps that post will take you to others?

        Blessings on the day! 🙏❤️

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Thank you so much, Lauren, for your beautiful comment.
    I am glad my words talked to you. As you, I fully believe that most of us
    have a desire for both solitude and togetherness.
    To find the right balance is important although 💕.

    Miriam

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    Reply

    • Thank you, Robbie, for your thoughtful comment to my pondering.
      We are indeed all unique and although we differ in which way we interact
      there seems to me to be a majority who seek a friend – even a child does.
      Total solitary existence I don’t believe is that common by choice.🤗.

      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

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    • Thank you, Kate, for your lovely and thoughtful comment. It is true, to
      make friend with yourself is the first step to be able to really connect to
      others. May this also guide us in the choice of those we trust.

      Miriam

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  23. Marvellous creation and a very profound thought. We all do have a friend within, very apparent from the fact that we came into this world alone and will go back alone too. And I’d so like to ask the hermit the very same question.
    Very beautifully penned, my friend 💖

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    • SamSahana, thank you for your beautiful and thoughtful comment.
      You are right about a friend within, wish we would always feel that. Yes, it would be special to hear how the hermit would see if. 🤗.

      Miriam

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