Walking Alone

Today I found myself walking, stopping, looking, absorbing

Taking it all in

Through eyes that witness 

Through eyes that love

Today I found myself content, interested, appreciative, fascinated

Embracing my new environment

Being indulgent

Being adventurous

Today I found myself experiencing all that is foreign

Listening to sounds, whispers, noises

Sampling flavours strong, sweet, tangy

Speaking to strangers

Today I found myself celebrating new paths

New people, new energies, new directions

Cherishing the different, the exotic

Capturing treasured moments

Today I found myself

Longing for, thinking of, wanting to embrace

Questioning, doubting, wondering why

The emptiness throbbing

Today I found myself experiencing

The dark shadows of loneliness

Clasping my shoulders

The iron grip tightening

Today I found myself alone 

Searching for meaning, for purpose, for clarity

Battling intense feelings

So lost, so unsure, so vulnerable

Today I found myself

Filled with sadness, loneliness, despondence

Wanting to share, to celebrate, to broaden

Memories awaiting birth

Tonight I found myself

The tears flowing, burning, glistening

Heartache deep, powerful, intense

Then it eased, slipping away into the past

I now find myself

Content, appreciative, accepting

Feelings of pain and doubt to come, to go

The nourishment in my path of growth

I now find myself

Grateful for the dark emotions, perceptions, shadows

For with them will always follow

The dawn to remind us of the light that is

I wrote this poem after wandering around the city of Yangon, Myanmar for a day by myself. As I am one who loves to share experiences, it had been extremely challenging emotionally, to get out there and to walk alone. It made me realise that it is totally acceptable to be sad and to allow these negative feelings to be a part of the experience. 

However, one needs to recognise them for what they are. To deal with them. Finally, to release them once they have served their purpose. These darker emotions form an integral part of many of our day-to-day experiences and are a reminder that we need to seek the positive and value the gifts. And that the shadows of darkness will always pass.