Solitude the unwanted guest
at the Christmas Day celebration,
can you imagine anything worst than
spending Christmas Day alone?
Remember as a child misbehaving
being sent to, “time-out”
for added misery you were
positioned to see others playing.
Today in prison, the worst of the worst,
when they are even worse- solitary confinement.
The picture is clear in our society
solitude is negative, punishment.
Research subjects report in experiments
solitude reduces your happiness and joy.

However, the story is not over
these same research subjects
report solitude adds calmness,
reduces anxiety and enhances clarity.
The question becomes when
I go for a walk in the woods,
what  is my objective?
The solitary turtle sunning
on the  log in the pond,
what is his objective?
Next time you go for a walk
in the woods, leave your device at home
don’t be so quick to call a friend,
goggle a sports score or type in HelloPoetry.