©Heather Pound 2022
backgound by Canva
The blackbird chirping outside knows that his
song, while fine, will never be the nightingale,
but still he lifts his song to dusk and daybreak
full-voiced, impassioned and free
Humans, however, tend to compare
and wither in the doing
~~~~
Why don’t we, like the blackbird,
gaze upon the dawn instead
–and remember
there is enough beauty for us all
and our own unique presentation
is exquisite and worthy and fine
~~~~
Unless we learn to embrace ourselves,
competition, while sometimes inspiring,
is the killer of connection, authenticity,
creativity and many other things
that the human heart craves
participation in
~~~~
So, I wish you well in all that you create,
and do, and are. I will focus on my very own
flavor of things to be the best ‘me’ that I can
become, and together we will make the world
an even more beautiful place to be
through appreciation
rather than comparison
~~~~
©Heather Pound 2022
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
Heather Pound 