The Thursday Think Tank #57 - Loneliness

“We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone.” ~ Orson Welles

Loneliness; over the years the idea or feeling of being alone has influenced many writers and poets in many ways. While some find solace in being alone others absolutely abhor and fear it. What does the idea of being alone mean to you?

I expect the thoughts of being alone to invoke a lot of deep emotions that some folks can’t or do not wish to bring themselves to write about and I understand that.  So we give you an out of sorts here if you can't or dont want to attempt writing from a lonely place. 

From the term loneliness a person can take the word "Alone".  It is not as harsh a concept or as desolate an Idea. I would like to point out that not always is being alone a bad and emotionally draining concept.  It is not loneliness.  Teachers after a long day of screaming five year olds like to be alone. Rock stars, movie stars and even the president take comfort in getting a few moments to themselves. I know my mother was happy when I went off on some adventure because that guaranteed her some “Alone Time”. This usually entailed Tammy Wynette blaring on the record player and half a bottle of wine but she was happy. 

If you dare to actually take the challenge of writing about true loneliness or the feeling of being lonley we cant wait to read your sullen words.  There are some who enjoy the feeling of lonelinees.  The belief that there is no one and nothing out there but you.  Although to me this is huge emotional drain I find some of my best writing comes during those times.  It makes you reflect on life and the many aspects of it we tend to ignore on a regular basis.

So this week we give you the prompt of loneliness. When does it strike you the most, the holidays after the family has left? When someone close to you has passed on? When you move away from your childhood home? When do you feel you’re most alone?

The best thing about Poets United is we are here to ensure you are not alone unless you want to be. Any given day you can reach out and someone in this community will be there for a comment, a smile or just a simple acknowledgment.

We know this prompt may cause you to tug at some deeper heart strings but know that we look forward to reading what you write and share with us.  With your words you may convince yourself and others that we are not alone in what we feel.
If you have a prompt idea (even a Music or Film inspired one) that you would like to suggest or share with us please send it to poetsunited@ymail.com . We keep a folder set aside with all your suggestions and just might use it one day.

There 3 simple rules:

1. Don’t link to more than 3 poems per week.

2. Please visit some of the other poems linked here when you link to yours.

3. Leave a comment after you have posted your link.