The poem came first—on a journey that is once broadly lit by the brilliant sun to the spotlight now cast by the lamp of a single lamppost. The important relationship here is between the lamp’s light and me.

The bass line came next and all I could see and hear were the soundtrack to an emotional journey that must be taken alone; the sound of the darbuka—the Middle Eastern goblet drum—in sync with the footfalls. The melody and lyrics came at the same time. I am standing alone in the midst of throngs of people, unable to interact with anyone of them whilst on this journey. The feeling is familiar to me. The cello came last, the outward manifestation of the pain, the weeping, and the tears. At times I see how much more courageous than I, others are.

Then I realise that an emotional journey taken alone whilst acknowledging the chinks in the armour—hurt of love lost, the void in loneliness, and the fear of living life fully awake—brings me to a place of freedom, strength and independence.

solus |ˈsəʊləs|
adjective (feminine sola |ˈsəʊlə| )
alone or unaccompanied (used especially as a stage direction).