Most of us seek solitude at some point in our lives. Whether it is for a few moments of quiet contemplation
Lac Lemon, Switzerland 1976
or to spend some hours or days in a place remote from society, solitude provides respite from the stress of daily life.
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, India, 1994
Some places, by virtue of their sanctity
S was found, deep in thought, at the foot of the stairs.
Kitulgala Temple, Sri Lanka, 1997
or isolation, or the beauty of their location, draw out our need for solitude.
The crucifix atop a mountain ridge is a magnet for hikers to Pilatus.
Switzerland, 2011
While the history of others sings to us of continuity.
Was she playing Monteverdi, Palestrina, or William Byrd? It was the 70s – more likely Pachelbel.
Epidavros, Greece, 1976
For some, solitude is the unintended result of their work,
Mekong, Lao, 2007
while for others it is the enforced solitude of a social pariah.
Or is the cigarette an excuse to seek solitude?
Burano, Italy, 2011
Some people seek to live alone and remote from society, painting, or writing, perhaps, or as a path toward inner peace. For some, solitariness is a choice; for others it may be the result of unintended circumstance.
Abandoned by her husband, and her children, this woman had found refuge on the mountain.
Meemure, Sri Lanka, 2008
A state of solitariness may also pertain to lonely, unfrequented or uninhabited places
In reply to our queries as to the significance of the tiny Dagaba, the woman replied – “to look at [to make you think]”.
Off the Kurunegala-Anuradhapura Road, Sri Lanka 2012
I understand they have been woken, now, from their aeons of solitude, and no longer loom up like giant ghosts through the sugar cane, as one rides one’s donkey up from the Nile to the Valley of the Kings.
One of the Colossi of Memnon, Luxor (Valley of the Kings), Egypt, 1983
In response to this weeks Photo Challenge – Solitary.
Beautiful post with which I can totally empathise.
With the introspection, FP& … ? Me too, though I don’t think I could go off to live in solitude in the mountains, or in a cave … :)
Solitude takes on a whole new meaning with this post. I have never equated solitude with loneliness.
Perhaps because it’s been your choice, Viv? I’d say anything we don’t choose will sit heavily, and solitude, for those who don’t choose it, will likely be very lonely. :)
Lovely pictures and beautiful thoughts!
Thanks, Deepa :)
Another beautiful and thoughtful post. I really enjoyed your photos and words. :)
Thank you Ad – it’s so much fun doing the photo challenge with words :)
Perfecto Solitary :P
Grazi mille ;)
Fantastic postt!
The long walk home is so poignant. And the pariah is evocative as well. The Mekong shot is always a favourite, but the inclusion of the Dagoba and the Collosus was inspired. Well done TWLG :-)
Oh, thank you, Madhu – I do appreciate your thoughtful responses to what I post, and am soooo glad you enjoyed the last two :)
Beautiful post Meredith! Somehow I can relate to all the pictures in this post because solitary has become part of my life.
I think it’s very wise to develop the ability and taste for some solitude, Bama, but moderation, in all things, dear man. :)
Well chosen. Each one does make you feel like they are in solitude.
Glad I hit the mark. It’s such an interesting exercise, looking over the pictures that might fit a theme, and choosing the ones that resonate most strongly.
Wow. That theme clearly spoke to you, Wanderlust, this is the most breathtaking piece of contemplation.
Thank you Kate, it’s so nice to get feedback from you :)
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Your images make solitude a beautiful thing. I enjoyed your post very much…
Thanks for dropping by, Richert. I’m glad you enjoyed my interpretations of solitude. I agree, when chosen, solitatiness seems to be a beautiful thing, but I think, for those who don’t choose it, that loneliness may often accompany them.
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I enjoyed this. A beautiful blend of words and images. I remember my first sight of the colossi. I immediately thought of Shelly’s sonnet, Ozymandias:
‘I met a traveler from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal these words appear:
“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.’
It’s a dashing, romantic image he paints, that’s for sure. Thank you for reminding me of more than the oft-quoted lines :)
Quiet, introspective, peaceful. Beautiful to contemplate.
Thank you Jo. Glad you liked them :)
Poetry via photographs. Lovely.
Can’t seem to concentrate on writing, these days, so it’s fun to dabble a little with ideas and pictures. Glad you enjoyed it Robin. :)
Ozymandias also came to my mind with the photo of the colossus. And you are so right—there is a distinction between solitude and loneliness. Lovely photos and words.
I must admit Ozymandias didn’t come to mind when I saw it – I almost fell of my donkey, is what happened. It was extraordinary – we were following a narrow path through the sugarcane – tall and rustling close to our elbows on both sides, when we veered slightly to the left, and there it was, rearing up out of the cane … Thank you JM – your comments always mean so much to me :)
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Great post of “Solitary”… love your photos…
Better than therapy!
In most instances, yeah, you’re probably right :)
Many aspects of solitude so beautifully voiced. Tantalising when one has so little opportunity to partake :)
I can remember – Ella – and am sooooo grateful to have the opportunity now to indulge in my solitariness. Your time will come … :)
Really beautiful and thoughtful post.
That’s kind of you, Naomi – thank you :)
Very nice collection and review, and very true – and all warm locations!
Funny that – at the last minute i eliminated the solitary figure at the edge of a frozen storm-tossed Lake Ontario!
Ah see…you instinctively knew the atmosphere you wanted as a grouping..
Though it wasn’t winter, you missed the Pilatus shot! I’m just too undisciplined to stick to a theme!
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Wonderful images!
Thani you, TBM – I appreciate your support :)
Great post. I love the way you show us that solitary and solitude is, sometimes sought out and sometimes enforced, part of our human experience. Thanks.
Thank you!
Beautifully expressed in both words but especially in pictures. I was looking at one ohoto , thinking that is so familiar, so I was so pleased to see you’d written th elocation ” Epidavros, Greece,” it’s been a while but it was there in the recesses of my teenage brain….
A while ago, I presume? I hope it was as deserted and full of ancient memories as it was back when I was there. Malady you enjoyed the solitude :)
early 80s and with my mum – happy days :)
How lovely – a precious time :)
A wonderful, striking set of solitary images. Beautiful!
Thank you so much :)
Wow, your words amaze me. I never thought entering the blogging world would make me love the world even more! Thank you.
That’s fantastic, Marusa. Thank you – look forward to seeing your beautiful world :)
Beautiful and interesting photos! As usual, a wonderful post!
Thank you Margaret – I appreciate it :)
This was fantastic to read. You told a great story of solitude, and I was asking myself with each photo: why is this person alone? For me, it’s not always a bad thing, particularly when wandering through another country; it’s good to be alone without all those commentaries and moody fellow travellers.
Couldn’t agree more about travelling alone – unless you’re right in sync there seem to be constant compromises! So glad you enjoyed my exploration of the theme, Trish.