Author: heatherpound

I went outside into nature to ponder and found I was sitting on empty,

scooped out like watermelon rind, flesh devoured on a hot summer day

and discarded in the sun

~~~~

The next moment fear began to whisper tight and cruel that I would not have

what it takes for the very next wave that life might bring,

or even the very next day

~~~~

Fear mushroomed, sucked out my breath and wailed, “Meaningless, empty,

fruitless and useless.” Words like these are quicksand to the human heart

if any attention is given

~~~~

But then I remembered, that a vessel that is empty can always catch the rain,

simply by embracing its shape

–of hollow

~~~~

And instead of a prison, ‘empty’ became a container to be filled,

and I looked beyond myself and saw all the wondrous things about

waiting to be chosen

~~~~~

—-’empty’ is not a final destination, it is the beginning of being filled with something new.

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

Safely sitting in nature, quietly observing, 

requires nothing of us. She just lets us be.

She reaches out, envelops us in her embrace

and says, “Look! Notice my intricate splendor.

You are part of something miraculous,

much greater than yourself.”

~~~~

Savor creation and admire her shifting beauty,

for even when fierce, she is magnificent

She reminds us that we are part of something fine,

and noble, and brave, a valued portion of the whole

and connected to Divine

~~~~

Then returning to the process of our lives,

we remember that moments such as these

are not frivolous, but a vital use of time

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

©Heather Pound 2022

Image: Canva

In that vulnerable hour before sleep,

despair and loneliness and things like

these may come to call, but do not

allow them to wail too loud or cause

a mighty roar. They may simply be linked

to ‘tired.’ So, notice them, yes. Say, “I see

you there–welcome,” but then let them be

what they are and not envelop your heart

entire. If they visit again, then you may

listen. Not to depress, but as useful

information of what your heart might be

trying to speak, but your brain hasn’t

listened. Your heart may do the feeling,

but your mind can adjust and bring

change. These feelings are not fatal,

but clues to instruct, things that you

need to know to intentionally bring

balance and wellness to your soul

~~~~

—-notice the feeling, but remember that you are in charge

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

image: Danëlle Moolman

I don’t know about you

but my brain tries to resist

sadness and doesn’t want

to listen to it’s quiet,

insistent roar

~~~~

It’s as if the mind is convinced

that if it pretends that sadness

doesn’t exist—

that it will ‘poof’ it away

Let me tell you now, however,

that that little fox of a thought

will consume the whole henhouse

if allowed to run free

~~~~

Grief is not something that

will dissipate unattended

It is a wound that requires

tending and gentle care

for healing to softly come

And will fester increasingly

without acknowledgement

—letting sadness out to breathe is uncomfortable but necessary

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

I live in that bewildering place ‘In-between’

Not knowing when I need people—or when I just need me

(Stage 1)

From chrysalis, safe and warm, slips out one wing ready to fly

But wait, I’m not quite ready, I need a bit more time

Wing back in, relieved

Alone is great

Hiatus is healing

Peace

~~~~

(Stage 2)

Fear. Of. Missing. Out.

They did that without me, really?

I ‘so’ would have gone

Spread my wings with joy, dancing

People are the best, the thing I need

This pupa thing is lonely

Constricting, claustrophobic–let me out

~~~~

(Stage 3)

I say, “Yes.” It’s amazing

Slip off to sleep smiling, pondering the next exciting thing

Making plans with my people, thinking about meeting new ones

Why didn’t I do this sooner, know that this is what I need?

Like a house on fire we chat, lingering over laughter

The feast is plentiful, the talk satisfying, the topics run deep

A bountiful banquet of benefit, togetherness is best

–My wings frantically fluttering with freedom

Begin to

Wither

~~~~

(Stage 4)

This morning I just can’t fly.

I can’t ‘do’ people, they exhaust me.

Spent

I grab my cocoon and slip back in.

It fits just right

Nurturing

Why did I ever leave?

~~~~

-Sometimes introverted and sometimes extroverted.

©Heather Pound 2022

These bodies that I birthed into existence

Precious like no other

Growing, changing, spreading their wings

I want them to fly, but still—

~~~~

These hours that we linger in the same space

Laughing, talking, just simply being

These are the moments worth savouring

~~~~

I drink in all that they are, filing away snapshots and smiles

Mental pictures to pull out later and savour

A steaming cup of cocoa on a brisk winters night

Nourishing warmth to my soul

~~~~

Bittersweet memories of giggles and tiny toes

Now walking slower, more measured, grown

Soft cheek became angled jaw–yet none the less adored

A masterpiece of heart and womb

~~~~

Fly little bird, fly

But remember where you can come back to rest

I’ve sheltered you from the storm before, I can do it again

Spread your wings, grow stronger, but always know

There’s a safe space in my arms

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2021

~~~~

If Christmas is a difficult day for you, please let it become this, a reminder that YOU are a treasured and priceless gift. The King of the Universe and I both firmly agree on this!

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2021

As I have sat and listened to people talk about

their lives, and I ask questions such as, “What

would it be like if you were able to let this

thought or feeling go,” they almost always give

a similar answer around something to do with

—peace

~~~~

Peace is a powerful notion for a heart that is seeking solace.

All of mankind can relate, at least on some level, to this.

But perhaps peace is a also precursor,

a doorway emotion that leads to other wonderful things,

but must be experienced first to amplify the sound of the rest.

A baseline of calm necessary before joy or delight

or other goodness can fully arrive

~~~~

Maybe that is why Someone Divine once said,

“My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,”

knowing that this is a significant gift

with power to soothe souls who are crying

out in desperation for many other things

—but first of all for peace

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2021

—-The Light of the World came, lived, died, and rose to offer us the miraculous gift of peace. Merry Christmas from my heart to yours!