i wake to the wonder of a world

still spinning, a tiny dot in the

vastness of space

 

and listen to birdsong drifting in

air, songs that have been sung

by multitudes, but are still beauty

discovered within the throat of one

 

and breathe air fresh, the breath

that life gives, abundant and 

cycling ever new.

 

i marvel then in the way my limbs can

move, i still rise and walk and

grasp and think.

 

and while nothing has changed,

everything is yesterday same,

today i am filled with wonder

 

and think that everyday

i should pause and notice many things

such as these.

 

because life is infused with beauty

and every day is marvelous,

worthy of the pause

to notice and honor.

 

so, look tall and wide and far

and high until your heart is

permeated by beauty as well.

 

it is always, always available

and is even closer than you think.

 

Heather Pound 2023

Photo by Oleksandra Bardash on Unsplash