Certain Solitudes

Author: lianne
Word Count: 213
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In the soft still evening of my day I seek
a quieting of soul and mind in certain solitudes.
Beside the hidden tranquil stream I walk,
and take with me my cares and pain
where alone here in this shady glen,
I put them down to rest awhile.
Last beams of sunlight pierce the pines
to catch jeweled iridescences of damselflies,
the stained glass wings of bumblebees,
and I find here resting on the buttercups
the butterflies of memories of the day.
On shallow pools in slow wide curves
where my creek is filled with clouds and skies,
my tears may drop like pebbles upon
the mirrored surface, but they dissipate as do
small hurts as they ripple down the stream.
The silence here is no great burden,
the weight no more than feathers,
and on the pine pillow of such downy peace
I hear a light and delicate vibration hum
a hymn of the heart and spirit of myself.
Beneath a gentle waterfall, I lay myself right down
to let the water wash gently over me
like some new baptism of spirit,
to sense a rediscovered me now rising once again,
reborn in hope, at peace renewed and soul
softened by the stillness of a restful solitude.

Certain Solitudes

I am deeply touched – beyond words really – to say that my dearly beloved friend and sister in my heart, Saleire has nominated this piece and image for the prestigious honor of being showcased here in Pay It Forward. I am humbled by the words of her nomination -

“I would like to nominate Lianne and her outstanding piece, Certain Solitudes.
I find Lianne’s writing to be of the best and is straight from the heart. She is a wonderful photographer, but her writing will leave you feeling blessed and wiser in that you have looked into the soul of one of the sweetest human beings alive. She to me is the dearest woman, friend and a darling person to know……but the admiration for her work goes beyond our friendship..I think it’s the best because it always touches my heart.”

Certain Solitudes belongs to the following groups:

Bits and Pieces and Pay It Forward

Jan Landers, 2 months ago

‘soul softened by the stillness of a restful solitude’......i feel these words in my heart, dear lianne…..this has created such a wonderful visual of renewal…...thank you for this….i hold it dear….
lianne in reply to Jan Landers’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you so much Jan – this one is very special to me for some reason so I’m very glad you felt it or that it touched you. That means a great deal to me from one with such a deep heart and reverence for life.
Sally Omar, 2 months ago

Lianne, This is so very beautiful and solitude definitely renews the soul….A definite fav…
And picture is awesome … goes so perfectly….Hugs, Sally xxxxooooo
lianne in reply to Sally Omar’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you so much Sally – I’m so glad you liked them both. This place and this piece are special to me so it means a lot.
saleire, 2 months ago

I hear a light and delicate vibration hum
the hymn of the heart and spirit of myself.

What a wonderful symphony of love and light this must be my dear sis. This is just so beautiful, I can almost feel the stillness of that beautiful place and see the water rippling in the stream…..and all because of your wornderful artistry with words. You are a poet of the finest quality and I just wish I had bundles of money so that I could tell the whole world and make you the Donne of all poets my sweet friend. Lianne…...this really touched my heart…..it is so full of peace and yet pain so deep that only the spirit can heal it…..and here in this haven you may have found your healing place…..where the spirit can renew you and fill your heart with joy again. I love this sis…...it is just you…...you with the heart and soul of a poet. xxxxxxx
TeriLee, 2 months ago

Wow Lianne…such a way with words! Truly beauriful! xoxoxo :)
LindaR, 2 months ago

there is such restorative gentle strength in this place you describe ~ inside and outside ~ I can feel it as I read ~ the release of the pain and returning to yourself ~ renewed…Lianne ~ your writing is gold ~ for you and for me/us who you so generously share ~ I hope for many many more moments of your journey scripted so beautifully ~ I have eyes and heart full for you my dearest friend xxxx
lianne in reply to saleire’s comment, 2 months ago

I have no right words for the gift of you, sis – ever – nor could I ever thank you enough for being such an extraordinary friend, a kindred spirit. Thank you, my sweet sis, seems so inadequate for these far too gracious words. Love you to pieces! xoxox
lianne in reply to TeriLee’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you so much TeriLee – I hope you feel the peace of it too. xoxxox
lianne in reply to LindaR’s comment, 2 months ago

Ah my sweet friend – and you would know – it’s where we get back in touch with what is “real” isn’t it? That time for oneself to put it all in perspective. Your heart, your vision take me to this same place, my dearest Linda – I sense your goodness in everything you do! How extraordinary you are, my dear friend – an incomparable gift to me!
hickerson, 2 months ago

beautiful
lianne in reply to hickerson’s comment, 2 months ago

thank you Donna – I have my moments of introversion – lol. This is where I take them!
elphonline, 2 months ago

So beautiful
lianne in reply to elphonline’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you Elph – I’m really glad you liked it – I think everyone needs a bit of solitude now and then to restore themselves!
Del Millar, 2 months ago

Lianne, so lovely, the imagery of reflections in the water, the last beams of sunlight etc, you write Nature so well, and of Nature’s restorative gift xo
lianne in reply to Del Millar’s comment, 2 months ago

Ah Del – I’m truly taking your advice, my dear sweet friend. We have to get back in touch with our true selves don’t we and I find this kind of solitude a wonderfully uplifting way to do that. Nature has a way of seeking its own balance and restoring ours! You remind me often of the source of that great peace, my dear friend. Thank you so much! xox
girlinthestars, 2 months ago

Absolutely divine…

to catch jeweled iridescences of damselflies,
the stained glass wings of bumblebees,
and I find here resting on the buttercups
the butterflies of memories of the day

That is just so much perfect, I can’t even tell ya!~* :)
lianne in reply to girlinthestars’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you so much Amy – your comment just touches my heart deeply. I’m so glad you liked these particular lines! I so appreciate you my friend!
Nancy Fischer, 2 months ago

It’s like you are part of nature. Wow, this is just gorgeous Lianne.
lianne in reply to Nancy Fischer’s comment, 2 months ago

Thanks so much Nancy – more a mood than a place though that helped. Glad you liked it.
linaji, 2 months ago

On shallow pools in slow wide curves
where my creek is filled with clouds and skies,
this I have seen so many times.. on my outings with a creek just staring in.. all of it enveloped in the water and my reflection too.. wonderful restorative work Lianne..xox
lianne in reply to linaji’s comment, 2 months ago

Thanks Lina – yes it’s restorative for sure. Great tranquility and time to really be alone with myself. Sometimes we surround ourselves with people, noise, activity to avoid the very kind of solitude it takes to find our balance again. I’m glad you understood that here. I so appreciate you, my friend – AND your own very self-reflective work lately.
Helene Kippert, 2 months ago

This is so beautiful lianne – congrats on the feature :o)
lianne in reply to Helene Kippert’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you so much Helene – I was really very touched by this as this is a little special for me. I’m so glad you liked it and I truly appreciate your taking the time to read and comment!
loramae, 2 months ago

Lianne…Im overwhelmed in the emotion so strong in your writing…It is a pure joy for me. Bless you! =)
devotee1, 2 months ago

“I hear a light and delicate vibration hum
a hymn of the heart and spirit of myself.
Beneath a gentle waterfall, I lay myself right down
to let the water wash gently over me
like some new baptism of spirit,
to sense a rediscovered me now rising once again,
reborn in hope, at peace renewed and soul
softened by the stillness of a restful solitude.”

Beautiful writing! You make so many of the wonders of nature—the small, intriguing creatures, the refreshing scents of the outdoors, the spirit stirring movement of running water come to life for me. Not to forget the wisdom your poem imparts—that it is so important for us to get away, even if just for a short time, to renew ourselves, replenish ourselves, by letting go into silence.
Max Gatrell, 2 months ago

A Delightful Read.

M
lianne in reply to loramae’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you so much Loramae – it means so much to me that you appreciated this poem. I’m so glad it brought you joy!
lianne in reply to devotee1’s comment, 2 months ago

Dearest Joe – I wondered if you hadn’t taken some time yourself for this very thing! I’ve missed you dear friend! Even though I’ve been gone myself until today really. I can’t tell you what it means to me Joe that you felt this the way I did! Thank you my dear friend!
lianne in reply to Max Gatrell’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you so much Max – I really appreciate your comment very much!
Mariann Kovats, 2 months ago

Beautiful, Lianne! Awesome!
lianne in reply to Mariann Kovats’s comment, 2 months ago

Thanks so much Mariann – it’s so restoring to take a bit of time alone and just appreciate how beautiful the world really is, isn’t it? I’m so glad you liked this, my friend!
Mariann Kovats, 2 months ago

Yes, we do need to spend some time alone and meditate. Also that really helps us to appreciate beauty around us, because it is there, but sometimes we just so stressed out with “normal” life, that we forget to notice it. I really enjoy your work, the written or the visual art.
lianne in reply to Mariann Kovats’s comment, 2 months ago

And I yours Mariann! Thank you so very much my friend! I think having a camera in our hands does help us to “see” with new eyes the beauty around us – that shows in your work for sure!
Mariann Kovats, 2 months ago

Thanks Lianne, you are very sweet.
Jen Whyte, 2 months ago

You were truly inspired when you wrote these fabulous words – what can I say … you made me cry but with tears of hope and looking forward to the future … the beauty of the way you say these words is indescribable Lianne as words just do not seem to be enough … you have described part of a spiritual journey for others to read and be healed xx
lianne in reply to Jen Whyte’s comment, 2 months ago

Jen, my dearest, you can’t imagine just how much your comment means to me – I knew you’d understand it better than anyone and have to admit I felt “incomplete” about it until you read it! It is a very spiritual journey and one that can only occur in true solitude that allows us to reconnect in a way that is impossible if we are surrounded by busyness and distractions. I felt very blessed to have found a place for such solitude. Thank you from my heart my dearest friend!
Mariaan Krog, 2 months ago

Incredibly beautiful Lianne. Soulful & heartfelt writing. Well done, dear friend.
lianne in reply to Mariaan Krog’s comment, 2 months ago

Awww thank you my dear friend – that means a great deal to me. This was a special place – have needed some solitude from time to time to get my life in balance. I think I found my little piece of heaven.
Natella2020, 2 months ago

Beautifully descriptive, Lianne. Uplifting and serene.
lianne in reply to Natella2020’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you so much Natella – I can’t tell you how much your comment means to me and how much I appreciate it.
salsbells69, about 1 month ago

This is beautiful Lianne and congratulations for being chosen by Saleire to be accepted into Pay it Forward.
lianne in reply to salsbells69’s comment, about 1 month ago

I’m so honored Sal and for this piece especially which has great personal meaning for me. Thank you for your lovely comment and for all your help. As for Saleire – there is no better or more loving friend in the world – nor a finer artist. She’d have been my nominee hands down if the timing had been reversed!