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I just want peace and quiet, away from all the noise.
Where in the world can I go?
I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
I just want to be alone.
I don’t want to be around anymore people—big or small.
I don’t want to talk or have another conversation.
I’m tired of all the chatter—around me and inside of me.
I’m sick of the texting, the zoom calls, the emails.
I just want peace and quiet, away from all the noise.
Where in the world can I go?
I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
I just want to be alone.
From the moment I wake, there are people all around me.
People I dearly love—my husband, my children, my dog.
From the early morning hours, there is activity and busyness.
They surround me on every side.
There is no escape to be found.
In every room of the house, people are there.
I just want peace and quiet, away from all the noise.
Where in the world can I go?
I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
I just want to be alone.
It doesn’t matter what hour of the day it is,
There are people up, moving about.
Little children during the day,
Adults in the darkness of night.
There is no way out, no place to go.
I just want peace and quiet, away from all the noise.
Where in the world can I go?
I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
I just want to be alone.
I tried different places to find solitude.
A walk with my dog around the neighborhood,
To no avail . . . there were other dog walkers in sight.
I steal away, a moment in my attic office,
To no avail . . . my sons, my husband, come looking for me.
“Where is Mom? Where is she?” I hear in the distance.
Inside I scream, “She’s not here! She’s gone!”
I just want peace and quiet, away from all the noise.
Where in the world can I go?
I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
I just want to be alone.
Perhaps I can escape outside on the patio.
Maybe no one will know or see me there.
To no avail . . . the neighbors come out to play ping pong.
“Ping . . . pong . . . ping . . . pong . . .” echoes loudly in my head.
I run to my car sitting in front of the house gate.
I hope no one sees where I go.
I bring my hot cup of tea with milk and sugar to enjoy.
Pure bliss, quiet, solitude, no distractions, no interruptions.
It’s warm and stuffy in the car, so I open the window.
I hear the birds chirp, the cool breeze blows through my hair.
I found what I’ve been looking for.
I am happy . . . I begin to write . . . my soul is released,
From its chasing, from its longing for quiet and peace.
But . . . only for a moment . . .
For, after only a few still minutes,
Two of my children open the front door to come outside.
Just next to me beyond the trees and the gate, they play.
There is noise, there is laughter, there is loud chatting.
But, I don’t mind.
They don’t see me,
They don’t know that I’m here.
I am alone and have peace, even if I still can’t find quiet.
Extreme Situations
Note: I know there are extreme situations for all of us right now. At our house, there are six people and a dog under one roof, in tight quarters. In my mother’s house, she is alone—isolated. I long for peace and quiet. My mother longs for noise and chatter. I long to be alone. My mother longs for company.
Whatever your situation is today, I hope and pray that you find what you are looking for and needing today. May we all find joy and peace—wherever we are.
—THE CULTURAL STORY-WEAVER
MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—“THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
LET’S WEAVE CULTURES!
Where are you on the spectrum? Are you looking for peace and quiet, away from the rest of the world, or are you longing for noise, company, and conversation? How are you finding what you need?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures”! Write about them in the comment box below.
