The Spirit Attends Alone: Revolutionary ImproVerse Haiku

Yes, I’m alone, but/
would I have felt the Spirit/
if I wasn’t thus?

Learning Alone Not Lonely: Revolutionary IMprov Haiku

I hate to admit/
that I could learn to be by/
myself much better.

Why We Share Our Alone: Revolutionary IMprov Free Verse Poetry

We try to convince
ourselves
that we are okay being
alone,
that we love
our solo status.

We document
our evening fireplace flickering,
the movies we’re watching,
the hikes we’re taking,
the vistas we’re seeing
the food we’re preparing
for one,
the drinks we’re sharing
with none,
and we claim
and proclaim
that we love
ourselves
so much.

That may be,
but the very fact
that we need to share
our alone status
on Facebook
or Twitter
or Instagram,
that we feel compelled
to scream what we’re doing
from the rooftops,
slaps us in the face
and says this experience
would be better
shared.

The very fact
that we must share
all alone
is an oxymoron.
We are not meant
to be alone always.
We are meant to share,
to teach,
to learn,
to cry,
to laugh,
to love
together.

We are meant to be
together,
because together
is better.

Advertisement

The Oracle Solves A Creative’s Dilemic Conundrum: Revolutionary IMprov Free Verse Poem

Through life’s woods
I wandered.
Down a path
not-often trodden,
I stumbled,
soul-searching,
burdened,
sorrowing,
because of rejection,
because of loneliness.

In a still glen,
facing my feelings,
fearing,
confused,
I found her,
an oracle
in blue.

I asked honestly
for others perceptions
of me.

Pause.
Had I offended?
The oracle spoke:
“You view the world differently.
Creatives see things
creatively.
And thus, you are,
typically,
misunderstood.”

“What you as a creative see,
you view with variety
and clarity.”

“Some use a paintbrush,
some a pencil or pen
some use a sculptor’s tool,
some a potter’s wheel,
some a keyboard or strings.
Some see the world
through a wide angle
or a macro
or a telephoto lens.”

“But what you see,
you can capture
and share
with the world
who is blind,
or at least myopic
or farsighted
or mono-colored.”

“Because you do that,
we in the world who have ears,
may hear;
and having eyes,
may see.
And having minds,
may understand.
And having souls,
may feel
and grasp
and learn
and know.”

“That’s why creatives,
though you’re misunderstood,
though you’re criticized,
though you’re shunned,
by some,
must always exist.
That’s why
you must always persevere.”

“Because without you,
the world would miss
what we otherwise
might see
or hear
or feel
or experience
and understand.”

As she spoke
those words,
the truth,
I reeled
under the torrent
and weight
of responsibility.

At the same time,
I felt my burden lifted.
I felt my rejection taken.
I felt,
again,
fire in my veins
and joy
in my heart.

Though I’m often alone
on that solitary path,
I’m not lonely.

I now know
and accept
that it is okay
to see
and write
what others might not.
Even if I’m rejected,
by some,
others will see.

I’ll share,
not in a condescending way,
not in reprimand,
not in a “you must see that
this this way,
or you’re wrong”.

Not asking them to
“be better”,
because they are
as they are,
just
as I am
as I am.

Instead, I’ll give
my words,
my thoughts,
my feelings
in a kind,
loving,
sharing way.

I’ll say:
“Look at this thing
I see.
Look what I found!
Come share it with me.”

Just like she,
visionary oracle,
in her wisdom,
helped me see
the opportunity
and responsibility
I bear
as I live,
and share,
my life honestly,
with integrity,
creatively.