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