a couple of years back storm clouds appeared 
and in a very short space of time
unusually large quantities of water
dumped from the sky, sudden

parts of the land were overcome 
and places that had looked the same
as long as residents’ memories recalled 
became far too saturated

and gravity
swiftly won

soil, rocks and trees slid down hills 
covering over roads and paths

and reminded the humans
they can build and create
but that nature is mightier still 

sometimes people experience this too,
personalities that have always appeared ‘stable’
are suddenly drenched by circumstantial storms
and are weighted down, down, down  
until burdens prevail and damage occurs

and that person may not be ‘themselves’ 
for some time… 

awkwardly scooping at mud, despondent 
frantically searching for pathways 
not apparent 

so just assure them 
this is okay

that like a landscape
they just need some time 
they will find themselves again

and if this is you
please be patient
because you will find yourself, too

	-weathering storms is a part of life
	 and even landslides grow flowers 
	 with time

heather pound 2025

Photo by Boon Panthalany on Unsplash