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creative collaboration, creative writing, creativity, home, poems, poetry, writing, writing prompt
Home. It’s a big word, in spite of being just four letters. There are other big four letter words… love, hope, free…but for now, let’s be with Home.
Finding myself currently between outer homes, this word has been very alive in me recently, and I was reminded of a couple of lines from a poem I heard not long ago. I’ll paraphrase, as I don’t have the text to hand. A young woman, a refugee, said she had a home, put her hand to her heart, but that now she needed a house for it.
I realised I was at risk of disconnecting myself from my inner home, as a result of the stress of needing to find a new outer home. Not that I had any issue finding somewhere temporary, I am very blessed, but I am still unsure about where I will live longer term.
Inner Home.
Outer Home.
This became the reflection for one of our prompts during last week’s writing circle. First, we drew a circle in the centre of a blank piece of paper, writing the word Home inside it. Then we wrote words and phrases inside the circle, to represent ‘inner home’, followed by words or phrases outside the circle to represent ‘outer home’.
Then we shared those thoughts, and in 7 minutes, wrote a poem.
This is what I wrote.
Keys, rent, walls.
Silence, safety, pause.
Photos, laughter, food.
Roots, faith, pause.
Garden, kitchen, washing machine.
Song, heartbeat, pause.
Coats hung up to dry,
shoes leave mud on the welcome mat.
Spirit, freedom, pause.
A spare room to welcome, entertain.
When are you coming back?
Private, love, pause.
Worldly shelter, anchor.
Family, ancestor, anchor.
Pause.
Welcome.
Pause
What is Home to you? I’d love to read your thoughts…
If you enjoyed this prompt, then you can find more here:
and here:
https://wordsthatserve.wordpress.com/writing-prompts-the-elements/
wordsthatserve 
Lovely poem, It set me to thinking.
The first “home” word that comes to mind for me is: sanctuary.
I love this. I had to learn this lesson of inner vs. outer home the hard way. It’s taken a few years, but I finally know the inner home is the more important of the two. And your poem causes me, this morning, to pause and remember that lesson.
Thank you so much Lisa, for this warm and thoughtful comment. Yes, it’s something I have learned at other times, but it seems I need to remember and deepen my understanding of this truth again. I agree with you. I think, ultimately, the inner home is more important. 🙂 Blessings x
I love the idea of finding/ creating an outer home for our inner home (heart). Not having an outer home can be very stressful. I hope you find a place that nurtures your body and soul.
Thank you Brad. Yes, it can be stressful, and I’m also aware that I am incredibly lucky and blessed. I have many people offering me places to stay while I look for somewhere permanent, so all will be well. May you too be nurtured, body and soul 🙂 Love, Harula x
I’m glad you have options.
May your beautiful loving inner home find just the right outer home at the right time/place. xo