author / speaker / hope-filled poet
on my first full day in the isles
i was taking a walk in my new neighborhood
stretching jet lagged legs
and a large-muscled dark brown man
walked towards me on the street
machete in hand
and my heart palpated
and it took my whole being
not to turn and run
“bula” he said with a smile
and walked on past and down the road
grasping his daily gardening implement
in his own country, not mine
–the day i realised racism was alive in me
heather pound 2024
Photo by Bill Fairs on Unsplash
concern begets overthinking
overthinking begets worry
worry begets fear
fear begets anxiety
round and round
and round again
do you know this hamster wheel
that smells of sweat and blood
spinning around constant
can end?
because even though
that little voice inside
speaks otherwise,
you can leap off the wheel
at any point you choose
to lay in wood shavings soft
for even a little, tiny bit
feel the ground beneath
notice the body you are in
and what your senses feel
take some breaths deep and slow…
and realise that
intentionality begets consideration
consideration begets agency
agency begets stability
stability begets perspective
and
perspective
begets
peace
—breath it in
heather pound 2024
Jigar Panchal via Unsplash+
tentacles of mist weave
around the heart solid
sucking out colour and the sun
into variants of grey
can you breathe
can you stand
will you ever feel the sun again?
sometimes
desperation
is the catalyst needed
for something different
to begin
–it’s not over yet
heather pound 2024
Photo by Dave Hoefler on Unsplash
two days ago, i chopped back
the ailing plant of mint
that lives on my back porch
leaves blackened from too
much water perhaps as i
forgot to empty its saucer
after recent heavy rains
while not an expert
on plant related things,
i knew enough to trust
in the tenaciousness of mint
that my mauling would not
end its stubborn reign
but lo & behold, this morn
there were already tiny leaves
sprouting fierce all around
and was reminded that
in nature and in every
living thing—things are
not always what they seem
things that are broken—can mend
fears that exhaust us—can end
hearts where hope appears dead
can rise up unexpected
covered with blankets
of fresh leaves
heather pound 2024
there are always at least
two paths, two versions
of the story that we
tell ourselves as we
interpret all the
events of life
we may never know
the real intention
of the person that
spoke those words
or did that thing
or set something
into motion
—but if we’ll never
really know
then ask yourself
which version
you would like
to believe?
—choose the one where you were ‘good enough’
Heather Pound 2024
photo Ales Krivec via Unsplash +
what if you are operating from
an illusion
one telling you the importance
the essence
the heart of what you must do
and the impact you should
leave behind?
what if the world around
or social media
or the people on your street
or your very own mind even
are filling you up with expectations
adding to your stress
opening a can of worries
when this need not be?
what if it is not about making sure
you leave your mark behind
when you leave this life
this must be remembered nonsense
stealing away your joy?
we are all designed to do great
and tremendous things
–but your great is subjective
to the eye of the beholder
to the heart of the receiver
and for many your legacy
just might be
that you have offered the water
of kindness
cup by refreshing cup
dipped from your heart
onto parched soil around
if this is you
this is powerful
this is world-changing
and this is enough
heather pound 2024
Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash
you are not broken
you are simply
ready to mend
waiting
but take heart,
mending is not
necessarily a painful
surgery of repair
mending is sometimes
a step by step process
of learning how to dance
Heather Pound 2024
Photo by Olivia Bliss on Unsplash
as you wake today, pause and wonder
how did these lungs just breathe
and this heart keep beating
even as you slept unaware?
and how the sun crept over
the horizon to warm your home
and heart, notice this
none of this is a small thing
they never are
and none of these should be taken
for granted
notice and you will realise
that your own quiet life
is always, forever
a miracle
Heather Pound 2024
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
i want to wake up this morn
with eyes open, shades lifted
to look around and fizz
with wonder at it all.
this soft chair, cat curled on lap
my beloved sits the next chair over
sun streams in windows bright
a full day beginning with the option
–to focus on either light
or shadow
and, oh my, isn’t there just so much light?
Heather Pound 2024
photo Ales Krivec via Unsplash
you look down at the cracks by your feet
ugly and difficult for the ants that scurry
there–but you see from above.
you see that the breaks in cement
do not extend far enough to upset
the balance of the path
it is still safe, it is secure
it will not shatter sudden
you can step over or around
or even walk sure-footed
right upon these cracks.
they are finite, they will end
a more even surface is
but paces away.
so when life has developed cracks
splinters, boulders or anything that
might restrict your path
do not look down—look up
up to the Eyes that can see
what yours cannot. and to
the heart that knows what
it is to walk daily down here
with us
yet sees things clearly
from above
Heather Pound 2024
Photo by Wayne Robinson on Unsplash
Heather Pound 