FINDING ONESELF IN SOLITUDE by Sarah Carlson

Finding Oneself in Solitude

Long stretches of time
alone
in the past year or so,
though challenging,
have allowed much to come 
to light.
Unfettered recognition of 
                                        illusion,
                               pain, 
                            strength,
                 truth.
Uneasy wonderings of
    who remembers,
                where to fit,
                            what is next
                                                                when, how, if to re-emerge.
     Sometimes so clear,
 other times 

                                                      just out of focus.

Branching moments
 of suspension 

create currents of 
 gratitude for love let in,
                    comfort in quiet company,
                                     hope of candid connection.
                            Valid, 
                   vital,
                    revealing,
            redeeming –
finding oneself
in solitude.

(This poem originally appeared in the author's blog found here)

Sarah Carlson has many pieces to her whole, as most of us do. Those pieces include: mother, teacher, daughter, friend, widow, sister, skier, bicyclist, hiker, coach, drummer, and poet. Sarah lives in the western foothills of Maine where opportunities to make connections amid the splendor of the rivers, lakes and mountains are plentiful. She began writing and combining her poetry with photographs of her experiences in the natural world as part of healing from the sudden loss of her husband, Barry. More of her poetry can be seen on her blog here. Her book, The Radiance of Change, (found here) can be purchased on line through the independent bookstore in her hometown of Farmington, Maine. She just published her second book of poetry and photos, In the Currents of Quiet, available here.  

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