Slow Down…

Summary

The author learns to embrace silence and nature, particularly a tree named "Grandpa Rain," to heal from past hurtful interactions and to find inner peace and creativity.

Abstract

The poem narrates the author's journey from fearing silence due to past disrespect and boundary violations to finding solace and healing in the company of a tree they call "Grandpa Rain." The author describes how the constant chatter in their head was more harmful than others' opinions. By slowing down and observing nature, the author discovers that silence is not to be feared but rather a space where one can focus on what truly matters. This realization leads to a transformation in how the author perceives silence, now seeing it as a source of creativity and peace. The poem concludes with the author expressing gratitude for the healing power of nature and the ability to choose how to respond to the words of others.

Opinions

Silence was initially a source of dread due to past experiences of disrespect and entitlement from others.
The author felt crippled by the opinions of others and was haunted by replaying thoughts.
Human company was avoided due to fear of being hurt again.
A tree named "Grandpa Rain" became the author's sole companion, symbolizing peace and the redefinition of silence.
Nature taught the author to observe their own thoughts and recognize that their life was not as chaotic as their mind portrayed.
The author believes that it is not silence that should be feared but the negative self-talk and what one chooses to focus on.
People's opinions, even baseless ones, do not have power over the author as previously thought.
The author has learned to live a life that is full and vibrant, yet unaffected by external opinions, inspired by the example of nature.
Words are acknowledged to have power to heal or harm, but silence, when used well, can also be powerful and foster creativity.
The monthly poetry challenge prompt on "Rituals and offerings to Gaia" inspired the creation of this poem.

To feel more alive inside

Photo by John Rodenn Castillo on Unsplash

I feared silence ever since I heard them speak in a tone of disrespect in a tone of entitlement dismissing my “No” like it didn’t matter. like my boundaries didn’t matter.

Silence to me, became a dreaded zone where I felt crippled by opinions of others, and things I couldn’t say To protect my own peace. Thoughts replaying in an endless loop over and over again.

Soon I stopped enjoying the company of humans altogether as I feared, given a chance they would all hurt me the same. Things we tend to believe Being vulnerable inside.

The only friend I liked to be around was my favourite tree. I called him “Grandpa Rain”. Why? I do not know. But that’s what I called him He reminded me of rain my source of peace.

Time with Grandpa Rain redefined silence and my experience of it. An unintentional change turned into an incredible one indeed

Being with nature taught me to observe everything around me including my own thoughts that repeated itself in my mind.

Trees taught me the true essence of silence helping me recognize my life wasn’t a complete mess as my mind portrayed it to be. What needed to change was what I focused on. It wasn’t silence I needed to fear but the constant chatter in my own head and what I paid attention to that had the power to hurt me the most.

People were free to hold opinions even the most baseless ones; with nothing but a peek into our lives something that bothered me a lot a long time ago accepting it was just the beginning but silence showed me none held any power over me like I thought it did reminding me of a choice; I still had and one I’ll always have. A mindset; to not drown myself in their bitter words. the choice of letting go to let them be, what they truly are; mere opinions.

Borrow I did, finally from Grandpa Rain and from all the trees around A way of living; a life of their own. A life; so full and vibrant Being quite Involved yet unaffected By it all.

Learning to slow down to the pace of nature and living a life embracing silence Is a ritual and offering I now include in my daily life As a tribute to mother earth for helping me heal the wounds the words of others had left in me. Only because I allowed them to get to me.

It’s true — Words have power It can both heal and tear you apart But so does silence use it well and it can speak for itself. Come to think of it, It is also where creativity resides. So what many considers — boredom isn’t a bad thing after all!

Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash

Thank you Diana C. and Spyder and the team of Know Thyself, Heal Thyself publication for these amazing monthly prompts. This poem is written in response to the prompt “Rituals and offerings to Gaia.”