So moving and powerful, Nadia. Home is a complicated subject for me. I feel like I’m writing about it in every post, sometimes hidden behind the words and at other times, in plain sight.
What a gorgeous ode and expedition of home. So many varying textures and emotions within each setting. I loved this line: “My tongue froze, all sounds I ever learned swallowed to silence” and it made me wonder if that was a pleasant or restrictive swallowing, how sometimes silence frees us, other times, suffocates. Thank you for such a soaring, thought-provoking piece!
Thank you so much, dear Kimberly! This part in particular was about immigrating and forgetting all the words I learned due to the shock and suddenness of it all XD. But yes, silence can be so freeing. <3
I too have a complicated relationship with home. In a way, I adore the home that I have always been able to depend on. But I also have outgrown the home for so long that I feel suffocated at times being here. Though I physically don’t struggle to breathe in my home, I am in a constant battle to finding the breath of peace and satisfaction mentally from my home. My greatest dream is to build my home from scratch, a haven infused with nature that breathes life into anyone who comes inside.
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability, Nadia! I pray that you will soon breathe easy in a beautiful place that truly feels like home 💚
I’m so sorry to hear home has been difficult for you, dear Kharissa. I hope someday you find joy and peace wherever you’ll end up. It’s possible to build your own home and make it yours. The tiny home movement has been progressing quite a bit. Some states don’t allow it, but others do. Depending on where you end up, some of them are so cheap to buy or make. Much love. Thank you for popping by!
Aw thank you for the kind words! Having a tiny house was actually a dream of mine back in 2013 long before it became super popular now. But I definitely would need a nice plot of land to put it so that’s my first goal! Much love to you too 💚
That's amazing! As more states start allowing small house building, that can someday be a possibility for you. And there are many different places where it's greenery all around, lots of plots to choose from. Or even communities with such homes.
Wow, truly a most powerful poem, Nadia — and your introduction gave such beautiful insight into the emotional construction of this poem about the concept of a home. So much breath and life and memory in this poetic excavation and exploration. Thank you for sharing.
"[Home] is whatever keeps us grounded." I love that definition! I think that's very true. For some, it's a physical space, and for others, it's metaphorical. But I think we all have a concept of what our home is... And when that home, whatever it is, is threatened, we feel lost. It took me a long time to figure out what home means to me, but now I'm here. 😁
Great piece here Nadia! I can’t decide if I love more the poetic nature and rhythm in the exposition within the introduction or the poem itself. There is abundance of rich imagery and emotion that sparked a bit of longing for some places and moments I called (or felt) the sense of home, and at other times left me wanting to greater distance from them. Thank you for your poignant and lovely words. :)
Wow, thank you so much, Brian! Indeed, I was hoping some places might instill a feeling of discomfort, others the opposite. But all in all, each place does have something magical to it.
I think the whole 34 years of my writer's block was trying to write about "home" and never finding it until very recently. This is SO beautiful Nadia - I thought you were already a butterfly before your recent break, but you've outdone yourself. I do look forward to the day you are able to say you're breathing easier. 💜
It can be such a difficult subject as it encompasses so much, including people. Hugs, my friend. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. It has been nice to write at a slower pace and letting the work breathe, pun intended. 😂💖
I found that song very moving, especially for me being a carpenter because I grew up while building them. In many ways they made me the man I am. They always silently asked me, over and over, how good are we going to be?
Amazing poem, Nadia, and even more so given the context you provide before it. Although I do not know all the memories you have, you have breathed some of them into life here through your words.
Amongst many, this was perhaps my favourite line:
the blue of burning summer sky, the swelling moon
hung low at night, a squashy scent as earth falls sleeping.
Thank you so much, Nathan! I’m so glad you like it. More than anything the memories are meant to highlight something special about a specific place. Even if these are my memories, I imagine there’s a relatable line there for each person.
So moving and powerful, Nadia. Home is a complicated subject for me. I feel like I’m writing about it in every post, sometimes hidden behind the words and at other times, in plain sight.
I do see that in your sublime work, dear Priya. Thank you so much.
What a gorgeous ode and expedition of home. So many varying textures and emotions within each setting. I loved this line: “My tongue froze, all sounds I ever learned swallowed to silence” and it made me wonder if that was a pleasant or restrictive swallowing, how sometimes silence frees us, other times, suffocates. Thank you for such a soaring, thought-provoking piece!
Thank you so much, dear Kimberly! This part in particular was about immigrating and forgetting all the words I learned due to the shock and suddenness of it all XD. But yes, silence can be so freeing. <3
A big hearted, ambitious poem, packed with images. I wonder how long you’ve worked on this one.
Thank you so much, Weston! It took me five days of almost non-stop thinking and writing and editing. I couldn’t rest until it was done.
yeah, it's a powerhouse, no question, like a damn freight train.
Oh my goodness, thank you!
Loved everything about this Nadia! So beautiful, I was mesmerized.
I’m so happy you like it, dear Tiffany!
I too have a complicated relationship with home. In a way, I adore the home that I have always been able to depend on. But I also have outgrown the home for so long that I feel suffocated at times being here. Though I physically don’t struggle to breathe in my home, I am in a constant battle to finding the breath of peace and satisfaction mentally from my home. My greatest dream is to build my home from scratch, a haven infused with nature that breathes life into anyone who comes inside.
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability, Nadia! I pray that you will soon breathe easy in a beautiful place that truly feels like home 💚
I’m so sorry to hear home has been difficult for you, dear Kharissa. I hope someday you find joy and peace wherever you’ll end up. It’s possible to build your own home and make it yours. The tiny home movement has been progressing quite a bit. Some states don’t allow it, but others do. Depending on where you end up, some of them are so cheap to buy or make. Much love. Thank you for popping by!
Aw thank you for the kind words! Having a tiny house was actually a dream of mine back in 2013 long before it became super popular now. But I definitely would need a nice plot of land to put it so that’s my first goal! Much love to you too 💚
That's amazing! As more states start allowing small house building, that can someday be a possibility for you. And there are many different places where it's greenery all around, lots of plots to choose from. Or even communities with such homes.
Wow, truly a most powerful poem, Nadia — and your introduction gave such beautiful insight into the emotional construction of this poem about the concept of a home. So much breath and life and memory in this poetic excavation and exploration. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Jeffrey, so much for such a lovely comment. I’m so delighted to hear the poem resonated with you!
I did write a post recently about what home means to some different cultures, having recently moved from Washington to Chiapas. Home has always been an interesting subject to me because it seems to mean "house" and yet it also seems to be so much more. https://open.substack.com/pub/chiapasmissions/p/home-and-family?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2sz1ut
I will read ASAP! And yes, a home can even be your beloved. It is whatever that keeps us grounded.
"[Home] is whatever keeps us grounded." I love that definition! I think that's very true. For some, it's a physical space, and for others, it's metaphorical. But I think we all have a concept of what our home is... And when that home, whatever it is, is threatened, we feel lost. It took me a long time to figure out what home means to me, but now I'm here. 😁
Oh yes, a threatening and/or threatened home is a sad, scary home. No home at all! I am glad you found your home.
Just beautiful, Nadia. Though I am so sorry you are struggling 'to breathe.' Home and breath make a beautiful pairing.
Have you read Bachelard's Poetics of Space? I think you would love it.
Thank you so much, Kathleen! I hope you’ve been enjoying your travels. I must read!!!
<3
💕
Great piece here Nadia! I can’t decide if I love more the poetic nature and rhythm in the exposition within the introduction or the poem itself. There is abundance of rich imagery and emotion that sparked a bit of longing for some places and moments I called (or felt) the sense of home, and at other times left me wanting to greater distance from them. Thank you for your poignant and lovely words. :)
Wow, thank you so much, Brian! Indeed, I was hoping some places might instill a feeling of discomfort, others the opposite. But all in all, each place does have something magical to it.
I think the whole 34 years of my writer's block was trying to write about "home" and never finding it until very recently. This is SO beautiful Nadia - I thought you were already a butterfly before your recent break, but you've outdone yourself. I do look forward to the day you are able to say you're breathing easier. 💜
It can be such a difficult subject as it encompasses so much, including people. Hugs, my friend. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. It has been nice to write at a slower pace and letting the work breathe, pun intended. 😂💖
Nadia, have you heard this song? https://youtu.be/DQYNM6SjD_o?si=uac8373zqGLXsDwF
Oh it’s so touching! Thanks for sharing.
I knew you'd like it. Had you heard it before?
I have not, but so glad I finally did!
I found that song very moving, especially for me being a carpenter because I grew up while building them. In many ways they made me the man I am. They always silently asked me, over and over, how good are we going to be?
How wonderful it made you feel that way.
Yes indeed, how fortunate I have been.
Amazing poem, Nadia, and even more so given the context you provide before it. Although I do not know all the memories you have, you have breathed some of them into life here through your words.
Amongst many, this was perhaps my favourite line:
the blue of burning summer sky, the swelling moon
hung low at night, a squashy scent as earth falls sleeping.
Much hugs and love.
Thank you so much, Nathan! I’m so glad you like it. More than anything the memories are meant to highlight something special about a specific place. Even if these are my memories, I imagine there’s a relatable line there for each person.
Love this poem, and especially this line:
"Home is where you leave your heart
a little bit each time & place."
💜💞
Thank you, dear Kimber! <3
I loved this, beautifully written. I moved around a lot as a kid. Many many times and schools. Breathe easy friend.
I feel you there. It was a similar experience for me. I hope you’re taking care in these scorching times lol.
Gorgeous poem. Love this line: "Here we repaired each other’s hearts,
broke them apart—kintsugi in reverse."
Thank you so much, Alisa!!!