i tend to float away

up, up, up into the atmosphere

like a helium balloon on string

 

not even noticing down below

to see what the body that is

left behind is doing.

 

lost in the clouds i drift, and

sometimes ponder deep and

thought provoking things and then

 

often i create. but sometimes it is

worry and cares and thoughts that

distract, dominate and eventually

 

distress. so, in moments like these

i must shake my body awake to reach

up tippy-toes high, fingers stretched

 

to grab ahold of strings

 

and pull myself gently back down

to earth, with kindness and care

and then offer myself the ointment of this

 

present moment, noticing all that is miraculous

within. because while beauty may be observed

from clouds, feet-on-earth grounded is

 

the space where all five senses engage and

that combined lovely may be absorbed into bones,

while perspective is gained, breath upon breath.

 

the here-and-now, this moment, is where

balance is restored. and while later i might

begin to drift away again,

 

that tether will remain.

 

Heather Pound 2023

Photo by Diya Pokharel on Unsplash