Sometime during the sixteenth century, a gentleman by the name of John Donne said, “No man is an island.” I interpret the meaning to be simply that no one desires to be isolated, solitary, or alone; at least not forever. The majority of us crave companionship; someone to talk to, eat with, walk with, cry with, laugh with, and die with.
It is beyond my comprehension to even consider for a moment that someone would or could step into a world barren of people. We can all be described as introverted, extroverted, or somewhere in-between and though I prefer not to be labeled with such finality, I must admit that I am a classic introvert. After a day surrounded by people, I seek out time alone to reenergize. More than likely, you will find me with a tablet of paper, frantically writing my thoughts down in handwriting that even I cannot decipher, lost in the pages of a book, or caught up in the glory of a nap.
The world has been introduced to a gentleman from Maine (one of our own) who chose a life devoid of people for 27 years. Despite reports of his foraging and stealing, he has burrowed his way into our hearts. We can reprimand him for burglary but we must praise him for his resolve and his courage. His challenges included staying warm, dry, nourished, and safe. He was not clambering up a corporate ladder, spending plastic money, fretting over the economy, choosing words that were politically correct, competing with his neighbor, or wondering if and when he could finally retire. There were no set standards, other than those he chose for himself.
The media hovers about the jail he now resides in, vying for an interview. We are told he has no desire to recount his experience and we are relieved to hear he has apologized for his theft. He had become somewhat of an enigma; the subject of many campfire tales and late night speculations in the area he lived.
We are told we all have 15 minutes of fame, but I would guess this gentleman’s name and his story will be spoken of for many years to come. The Hermit of North Pond will forever be a legend.
Why did he shrug off the world and disappear into solitude? And now that he has been found, will he choose to remain among us? We have been told that he is well spoken, articulate, and polite. Reason tells us he is a gentle soul, with no history of wrong-doing before he slipped away from our world and into a world of his own.
It is ironic that we have now physically shackled him and placed him under lock and key, when for so long he had no restraints at all. He is accustomed to simplicity, non-complacency and slumber beneath a zillion watchful stars. Will our rules, restrictions and laws demolish his wistful spirit? I pray not.
Belinda Wilcox Ouellette lives Connor TWP with her husband Dale and their Goldendoodle Barney. They are currently working on building a home in Caribou. You may contact Belinda online at: dbwouellette @maine.rr.com.
