On, In, and Around Mondays: Writing in the Barn
I do not have a barn.
I wish I had a barn.
Of course a barn is work, and I don't need the work of a barn.
But I need the silence.
Mostly I am good at blocking out the blur of sounds that accost me at every turn.
Not so much this week. This week I have been craving solitude. This morning I even sat outside, the metal chair beneath me burning its cold right through my jeans. I sat and worked on an article until my fingers were so stiff I had to come inside.
And that was when I wished for a barn.
My Littlest rides horses once a week, and sometimes I sneak into the barn while she is out in the ring. I slip in for the warmth of the captured sun, for the warmth of the horse's bodies all kept in their little homes, for the warmth of what I see. Fetlocks, manes, tails, hay, bits of dust turning on air.
Today when I finally had to come in from the cold, back to the commotion of kids, I brought with me a vision of the barn. And somehow it made me feel free.
_______
On, In and Around Mondays (which partly means you can post any day and still add a link) is an invitation to write from where you are. Tell us what is on, in, around (over, under, near, by...) you. Feel free to write any which way... compose a tight poem or just ramble for a few paragraphs. But we should feel a sense of place. Would you like to try? Write something 'in place' and add your link below.
If you could kindly link back here when you post, it will create a central meeting place. :)
This post is also shared with Laura Boggess, for...
Labels: On in and Around Mondays, writing
posted by L.L. Barkat at 2:52 PM
21 Comments:
lovely as always :-)
A barn, including the work, is a good thing.
Couldn't resist adding an older story of mine that took place in a barn to "On, In and Around Mondays". This is my first time joining in.
Buy the way, just finished "Rumors of Water", lovely.
I'm a city kid, turned suburbian kid, never had many barns. But I get the peace that you wrote about – especially the swirling dust – it's a vivid picture – it reminded me of the smoke rising in the Temple. And how candles in the Catholic Church are lit, and symbolize the prayers raising up to God. I hearted that. Anyway, thank you for this picture of barn-ish piece that you got to carry around with you – now I carry it with me. God bless and keep you and all of yours.
That barn-image in your mind, bringing you freedom when you return indoors.
That's something, right there.
I could smell the 'barn-silence'. Beautiful.
A feeling I know. It's why my pictures end up so deep sometimes. They give me my real life back...
You have a wonderful way of capturing the soul's longings and crafting them into words. I had a barn when I was a girl...and horses to ride. Those were special days. This post created a longing for that old barn.
oh, i get the craving for solitude....not the barn so much. conjures smells:)
I wish I had a barn too! I loved my Grandpa's barn, and later had my own horses, so your words today make me feel right at home.
For 2 years, we took a journey where my boys got to work on their Papaw's farm, in their barn and feed their cattle. There is something about the work of a barn that fills boys up inside with something manly and noble - I bet the silence is a part of that:) I wish we had a barn, too!
This photograph is absolutely stunning and makes me want to write in the barn :).
Ha!
I love it.
I want a barn too.
I could feel that chair. This is beautiful L.L. That need to be alone... we get that from him. What a gift it is... especially when we open it.
Oh, I love barns, too. My dear friend recently painted me a painting of a big white one, with blue sky behind it. She named it "Storehouse Full". It brings me hope to think of the rich blessings the Father brings. I love the beautiful images you invite me into share with you, here. Thank you.
My daughter used to take horse lessons and the smell of the barn kept me from wanting a barn. ;-) But I see what you're saying. Metaphorically-speaking, I would love a barn too. The imagery is rich.
I have a barn (actually more of a lean to but we house animals there). It is not a silent place - my animals make quite a bit of noise. After feeding animals this morning I turned over a bucket in a stall with a goat and a hen. Sitting there I took in the clean, musky smell of the hay and goats. I could hear the horses munching hay just outside, ducks quacking and splashing in their water tub, and a rooster crowing a few stalls over. An air of peace and contentment hung about me as I sat there. Even that feeling of freedom as I focus only on the animals and their voices. A barn is a great place for solitude.
Loved the imagery and metaphor of a barn...
You captured my feeelings exactly...longing for solitude and craving a barn. Beautiful words.
I know that feeling of a cold outdoor seat rendering outwear ineffective. It lingers long after I've come in. Great post.
hi L.L.
i really truly enjoyed reading this! oh how i love barns and you captured it quite well.
blessings,
Nacole
nice...the warmth of a barn with all the animals breathing..the vision of the barn and the freedom feeling going with it, i understand that
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