Solitude

She wished she knew that Life isn’t 

          What others say

          Or what her head or heart say it is,

          But Life simply is.

She wished she knew that Love isn’t 

What others say

          Or what her head or heart say it is,

          But Love simply is.

She wished she knew that Life and Love

Are not ‘out’ there but blossom ‘in’ here.

That only in a deep inner solitude 

Love becomes Life, and Life Love. 

She wished she knew then what she knew now.

          She would have loved, lived, and lived love.

          But she will, now.

In solitude. In Love.

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This 100-word meditation is inspired by one of my favourite passages from Amrita Pritam's voluminous writings. I find her juxtaposition of companionship and solitude so enticing and so true. I can try translating it for non-Hindi-knowing readers, but that would take away the beauty of her words. Instead it maybe better to share a somewhat similar thought from an American writer, bell hooks. 

Not exactly the same thought, but still close. Perhaps different cultural perspectives. One speaks of solitude in love that is necessary for the sake of solitude itself, the other for the sake of becoming better at loving. Same difference? Let the reader ponder.

Image 1 source

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Linking this post to Write Tribe 100 words on Saturday prompt - She wished she knew then what she knew now.

Also linking this to ABC Wednesday, S: S is for Solitude