someone i admire was asked

how they came through the hardest

times and made it out the other side

~~~~

the answer was simple, they paid

attention to beauty and no matter

what else came their way

~~~~

beauty was always there, always

available, always free–if someone

takes the pause to see

~~~~

it’s as if they said that while

famine, war and shame exist

—there is also THIS

~~~~

no matter what the world throws our way

no matter what happens within

the confines of our frame

~~~~

there might also be a tree of brilliant yellow

right outside the window or a cat curled  

tight upon our lap for warmth or a bird

~~~~

serenading in the garden just because it can

with dew upon the daisies in tall grass

so, while there is evil and ugly

~~~~

–and make no mistake, there is–

there is still always, now and forever

always also THIS

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022