A Poem a Day

Aloneness

Aloneness is different from loneliness,

Loneliness means you want somebody,

Loneliness means you have not planned to stand

Somewhere with other people gone.

Loneliness never has a bright color.

Perhaps it is gray.

Loneliness does not have a lovely sound.

It has an under buzz,

Or it does not have a sound.

When it does not have a sound

I like it least of all.

But aloneness is delicious.

Sometimes aloneness is delicious.

Once in a while aloneness is delicious.

Almost like a red small apple that is cold.

An apple that is small and sweet and round and cold.

And just for you.

Or like loving a pond in summer.

There is soft water.

Looking a little silver dark, and kind.

You lean, most carefully.

And you like the single picture there.

Rest is under your eyes

And above your eyes

And your brain stops it's wrinkles

And is peaceful as a windless pond.

You make presents to yourself,

Presents of clouds and sunshine,

And the dandelions that are there.

Aloneness is like that.

Sometimes.

Sometimes I think it's not possible to be alone.

You are with you.

And pulse and nature keep you company.

The little minutes are there,

Building into hours 

The minutes that are bricks

Of days and years.

I know another loneness.

Within it there is someone.

Someone to ask and tell.

One who is Mary, Willie,

John or James or Joan.

Whose other name is love.

- Gwendolyn Brooks