Tags
aloneness, change, common-ground, faith, home, lesley fletcher, love, loved-ones, poets, Rainer Maria Rilke, relationships, self-trust, solitude, trust
For those who may need to read this – you know who you are.
Therefore, dear Sir, love your solitude and try to sing out with the pain it causes you. For those who are near you are far away… and this shows that the space around you is beginning to grow vast. Be happy about your growth, in which, of course, you can’t take anyone with you, and be gentle with those who stay behind; be confident and calm in front of them and don’t torment them with your doubts and don’t frighten them with your faith or joy, which they wouldn’t be able to comprehend.
Seek out some simple and true feeling of what you have in common with them, which doesn’t necessarily have to alter when you yourself change again and again; when you see them, love life in a form that is not your own and be indulgent toward those who are growing old, who are afraid of the aloneness that you trust.
And don’t expect any understanding; but believe in a love that is being stored up for you like an inheritance, and have faith that in this love there is a strength and a blessing so large that you can travel as far as you wish without having to step outside it.
Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
Who pulls me to her sacred breast
And feeds my soul?
When morning meets the night
Consoling me with history
and wisdom from ethereal shadowsI know and so
My humble abode I say to you with love
I’m home,
so not alone.
No doubt.
Lesley Fletcher 2012
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Peace All ❤
Lesley Fletcher is a writer (freelance, books, content, lyrics,stage plays) as well as a visual artist specializing in monoprints. To learn more about her please visit the tabs here on WordPress or her website at http://www.LesleyFletcher.com
Inspiration Import 
What a beautiful way to say every person is unique and individual but love them for who they are. Or at least that’s what I understood. Absolutely beautiful. 🙂
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I thought so also Mary. The wonderful thing about words and art is that we are given the right to understand in the way we see fit. Of course that’s provided it is not a university course haha.
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I loved this post Lesley, your poem as well as Rilke’s. To be truly content, to find home within ourselves, is a beautiful thing. 🙂
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Thanks LuAnn – Sometimes I wonder if I am the only one who needs booster shots like this 🙂
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I suspect you are not. 🙂
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Your words are tearing my heart Lesley, bitter sweet words. I notice I am the only male commenting…please don’t generalize, you and your readers…I am human too and the pain is not always from the man to the woman, it can hurt just as much the other way around…is hurting now…
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John, I have sent off an email to you. I am taking an oath not to generalise again. I can feel your pain and suppose that this post was meant for you to feel it too. Blessings your way.
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I had this conversation with this lady on the handicap bus I take. I told her I was happy alone. The bus driver told me that I wasn’t happy I was content. He believed that a woman must have a mate in her life to be happy. Sad that some people just don’t get it.
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Content and Happy are the same thing. He likely meant to imply you ‘settled’ – men don’t really get it (in general). I think most have been brought up to rely on physical and emotional support a woman brings. As for me? I am happy to know you are happy 🙂
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🙂
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Lovely, Lesley, be at home where you are. Your poetry is beautiful. As is Rilke’s letter. Thank you.
Garden of Eden Blog
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Thank you Susan. I have been trying to keep up with your post a day. Such a great topic!
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A gentle reminder to be true to ourselves as well as right with the world.
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Balancing act at its finest. Yes.
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So few of us can accept ourselves and lives we have chosen. I would like to send this to someone I once knew but I am sure he would be still unreceptive at best and confused at worst.
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Poor him and sweet you. This could help so many if their mind would open up and recognise what needs to be recognised.
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I got my freedom and a better life out of the deal. For him, it would require WORK on himself and his past. He will NEVER go there. Very sad, actually.
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To venture into self requires a strong self-esteem. The idea that one could possibly find something less than their perfect vision (all others are wrong and I am right) is sometimes too much to handle. I understand his reluctance and feel for his loss.
It sounds as though you can still hold love for him in your own acceptance of the facts and that is so admirable. Well done!
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I accept the facts for sure. As far as holding any love for him, not at all. Simply put, too much cruelty and abuse occurred. He lost not just me but his sons as a result.
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What a powerful poem. And I like the sentiment very much. I think we have to learn to be at peace with ourselves or at least be willing to face ourselves if I can put it that way. And that’s something we need to do by ourselves.
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It is very tough for some Margot. Living with no regrets has many connotations 🙂
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