The Hideout

I was listening to a favourite Sarah Harmer song which made me wish I had one sometimes - a hideout.  A place far enough from everything that I could feel removed from it all.  When you can't really run away, or live the life of a nomad, a hideout would be handy.

When I feel life coming at me too fast, or the past creeping up on me stealthily but steadily from behind I get the urge to retreat.  I suppose it is the fight or flight instinct triggered by stresses, and my first instinct is most definitely flight - at least at first.  I need to retreat to gather my thoughts and my forces.  Only then can I face what is in front of me (or behind me).  Sometimes I might come out with guns ablazin' and at other times waving the white flag.

I believe everyone needs a place to be by themselves and do some soul searching, thinking, or just breathing.  It doesn't have to be far and it doesn't have to be for long.  I remember when my younger sister was a little girl, she would spend hours sitting in a tree.  Perhaps this was her retreat. (or perhaps she just liked to spy on people from up there). I ran away from home once when I was young.  Into the bush I went and stayed there for an entire day until the pheasants startled me and made me think twice about living under a tree the rest of my life.  After that my room seemed like a better a place to run away to.

These days I have different places that I retreat from the world.  The trails I like to walk, my Muskoka chair on the back deck, or a long hot bath.  Any place I can be alone with my thoughts is a good place to gather my strength and clear my head.  

The Hideout 

Sarah Harmer

Look at that green

Out through the screen

After a quick rain came

So fast that

There wasn't time

To roll up the windows

And pull the clothes down off the line

But i don't care

It was so dry

And the grass is happy

And i think 'so am i'

'Cause i'm through thinking about you

For now i'm out at the hideout

Far enough outside of town

You can come

You can stay

If there's something you need

To get away from

Look at the day dropping away

Hear the traffic pass along

A distant sideroad down the way

I think the dust has settled on me

But i don't care, it was so calm

I knew i wouldn't stay forever

Knew i'd get some things together

And move on

But for now i'm out at the hideout

Far enough outside of town

You can come, you can stay

If there's something you need

To get away from

I just thought of you

And what you said

Laid out on the pullout

Did you forget

You said you wouldn't forget

Look at that green

Out through the screen

After a quick rain came

So fast that

There wasn't time to roll up the window

And pull the clothes down off the line

But i don't care

It was so dry

The grass is happy and i think 'so am i'

'Cause i'm through thinking about you

And for now i'm out at the hideout

Far enough outside of town

You can come out

You can come out

When there is no one around

All out at the hideout

Far enough from being found

You can come, you can stay

If there's something you need

To get away from