Such a thought-provoking post, Sharron - thank you. What a wonderful retreat.
I agree that bustling cities can feel isolating. The years I lived in cities were the loneliest of my life - on the surface it didn't show, because (at the time at least) I had a very active social life and was busy doing all sorts of exciting things, but gosh, deep down it was all a big load of ice-cold empty nothing. Not just with hindsight - it felt like that at the time, too.
Do you know the song 'I am a rock' by Simon and Garfunkel? It's about loneliness, but I adore it - it's one of my favourites. I mention it because the following lines from it popped into my head as I've been writing this comment: "I have my books and my poetry to protect me", and "hiding in my room safe within my womb I touch no-one and no-one touches me".
I know the song well. I knew the feeling well. Now I am mostly reclusive and it suits me fine. I am never lonely. Just give me a pen and a piece of paper. Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Rebecca. ( I dedicated one of my pieces to you today. A major honor. ha ha ha )
Gosh, Sharron - yes, I've just read it (I've been reading through my Substack inbox in stages today, as it's been a busy one) - thank you so much! It's really made me laugh - and think! And resolve to deal with my own junk drawer sooner rather than later...!
Such a thought-provoking post, Sharron - thank you. What a wonderful retreat.
I agree that bustling cities can feel isolating. The years I lived in cities were the loneliest of my life - on the surface it didn't show, because (at the time at least) I had a very active social life and was busy doing all sorts of exciting things, but gosh, deep down it was all a big load of ice-cold empty nothing. Not just with hindsight - it felt like that at the time, too.
Do you know the song 'I am a rock' by Simon and Garfunkel? It's about loneliness, but I adore it - it's one of my favourites. I mention it because the following lines from it popped into my head as I've been writing this comment: "I have my books and my poetry to protect me", and "hiding in my room safe within my womb I touch no-one and no-one touches me".
I know the song well. I knew the feeling well. Now I am mostly reclusive and it suits me fine. I am never lonely. Just give me a pen and a piece of paper. Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Rebecca. ( I dedicated one of my pieces to you today. A major honor. ha ha ha )
Gosh, Sharron - yes, I've just read it (I've been reading through my Substack inbox in stages today, as it's been a busy one) - thank you so much! It's really made me laugh - and think! And resolve to deal with my own junk drawer sooner rather than later...!
I'm rather a hermit too, and that's fine by me!