you sit there drawn in tight

arms crossed in self-embrace,

like a coiled spring waiting

 

and you wonder when the other

shoe will drop, when tragedy

will strike again,

 

because trauma has already

shouted in your world

loud

 

and whispers still that it might

return with haste at any

given moment.

 

since you have experienced this,

this lid lifted off to reveal

possibilities dark within,

 

it can be difficult to seal back in.

i see this, i know this.

 

but together let us consider

the good. let’s notice and

honor all the times that

the sun has shone instead.

 

moments so stunning in beauty

and safety and heartfelt living that

statistically show that something

wonderful is likely instead.

 

and if you spend your time

waiting for the tragedy only,

 

you will never notice these.

 

so, even if only a fraction at a time,

unwrap your arms cinched tight,

spread them wide, bit by bit,

 

and experience finally the beauty,

the amazing, awe-inspiring, glorious

daily grace that makes life worth living

 

and offsets and even exceeds, yes, eclipses

the dark.

 

i believe you can do this.

 

Heather Pound 2023

Photo by Kateryna Hliznitsova on Unsplash