how incredibly tenacious
as a tree you must be
to sprout, and grow
and even flourish
whist clinging to
the top of a rock
and battered by
the wind and waves
~~
–life lessons from nature
©Heather Pound 2022
when my child was
but one month old
she sat in her carrier,
contemplating.
glancing at my face
from time to time,
but mostly staring
at a chair
in fascination
while my doctor
examined me.
and he commented,
‘look at what
she’s doing now.
this, this is vital
for development,
giving children space
from activity and
noise and letting
them just be. this
is a gift as mother
that you can provide.
~~
and today i sat across
from my loved one
in silence.
staring at the view,
soaking in the day
and realized that
this is one of the
most productive things
i have done in ages.
embracing companionship,
creating space for rest
for heart and mind
experiencing solace,
gathering in strength for
the journey ahead,
peace in the now.
this is important work,
yes work, that produces
longevity and quality
in everything else we do.
just as it was for my child.
~~
—-during this holiday season, offer yourself the gift of space.
©Heather Pound 2022
image:Ben White/Unsplash
i had to gather myself together,
to leave my home that day.
tired, stifling heat and teeming paths,
my soul thirsty for softer things.
~~
relieved to locate a seat on the train,
both my daughter and i, my weary gaze
finally left the floor traveling up
to a woman sitting across. she was
~~
so soft and serene, at peace, unremarkably
dressed, nothing particularly of note, and yet,
in absolute stillness and assurance she
held my gaze. and her face radiated things like,
~~
‘take heart, it is going to be ok. you are
never alone. and be patient, you will
get there in the end.’ these thoughts
permeated my mind and i sighed in deep
~~
and knew that this moment was profound and
gifted for my good. our stop was announced and
we rose in silence within that city’s fierce hum,
and i filed the encounter away private, sacred, mine.
~~
when eventually i spoke years later of these things
on a lazy afternoon, my daughter nodded matter of fact,Â
exclaiming, ‘oh, i remember her, too!’ and she
used the words i had been hesitant to say,
~~
that while some must announce, ‘do not be afraid,’
other angels come quiet and unexpected
on places like calcutta trains, proclaiming
hope filled things and peace on earth that day.
~~
—-sometimes when you least expect it, you might encounter a miracle.Â
©Heather Pound 2022
image:Subhajit Jana/Unsplash
do not gaze long on the bottom of the jar
that reveals scarcity, lack.
~~
empty is not there to appropriate your
thoughts and transform into fear.
~~
it simply means there is room to be filled
so, what will that ‘more’ be?
~~
–you get to choose.
©Heather Pound 2022
image:Autumn Mott Rodeheaver/Unsplash
do you know that it’s okay
to be tired, to feel the
weight in your limbs,
sluggishness of thought,
eyes heavy,
words jumbling out slow?
~~
this does not scream ‘failure’
or ‘something’s wrong.’
this is a natural state signaling
that rest is needed,
nay, required after seasons
of pushing uphill long.
~~
you do not shame yourself
for requiring air to breathe,
so why do we shun rest,
nonsensically striving to show
that we are stronger than this
basic human function, unhealthy?
~~
so, if you must be like a bear
and hibernate for extended days
this is okay. you can tuck
yourself up in cave and slumber
as desired because rest is not
defeat, it is a healthy need.
~~
©Heather Pound 2022
image:Priscilla Du Preez/Unsplash
sit with me beside the sea
and let us watch the waves
and maybe you’ll remember
that there is power beyond
your own frame of reference
and fantastic beauty
to be found
all aroundÂ
~~
and that disengagement
that you have worn as
part of survival long
may start to fade
if we sit here and
watch together
in hope
and wait
~~
©Heather Pound 2022
image:Dylan Sauerwein/Unsplash
you do not
complete me.
in fact, no one
else is meant to.Â
~~
this idea of completion
is a killer of relationships,
unrealistic in expectation
and execution.
~~
it’s entirely
unreasonable
to expect YOU
to fill the void
that makes me
whole.Â
~~
my insecurities,
my issues, my healing
required. these are
mine to bear,
not yours,
not ours.
~~
but complement
each other we do.
we fit together
like hand and glove
because we have
executed adjustments
repeatedly,
~~
large and small
required.
done the mahi,
put in the effort,
and have chosen
each other again
every. single. day.
~~
we are two
imperfect people
pursuing wholeness
togetherÂ
~~
and loving each other
wholeheartedly
along the way.Â
~~
and because of that
my cup is full.
and when you are near
or even far away
i feel the completeness
we have each found
and share
together.Â
~~
©Heather Pound 2022
image:Roselyn Tirado/Unsplash
to embrace
the new
you must
relinquish old.
as much as
you may have
loved the season,
it has passed.
~~
and all that is left
are baubles
strewn around.
so many crumbs
of things
that were.
beautiful,
treasured,
laced with memory.
~~
and while you
are allowed
to sit with them
and remember
as often as
you wish,
do not be slow
to put down these
playthings past,
walk out the door
and live.
~~
——grief never really leaves, but it adjusts to make space for other stunning things.Â
©Heather Pound 2022
image:Kelli McClintock/Unsplash
you must be still if you want your inner muse to speak
just think of all the songs never sung, paintings left undone,
poetry never written because we were too busy
to be still
and listen.
~~
©Heather Pound 2022
image: Alex Seinet/Unsplash
the daylight slips away
and songbirds sweetly sing
the day to close
~~
and i, who used to
fear the dark, breathe deep
and relish in the hush
~~
joining nature in her rhythms
tranquil, for all must
slumber and refresh
~~
and tomorrow’s troubles
are not today’s and need
to keep their place
~~
and night is nothing to be
feared when a heart chooses
peaceful and content
~~
©Heather Pound 2022
image:Carson Arias/Unsplash
