Heather Pound

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

what is this weight that you carry,

head drooped, shoulders bent

with the effort of it all?

 

before you stumble,

fall exhausted from the

strain—stop

consider, please.

 

surely, at least a portion

of what you’ve gathered

is not your burden indeed.

 

you have the option

the necessity even,

to lay down your bundle

to pick-and-choose

before you one step

further take.

 

to consider:

am i weighed down by a problem

that is not mine to solve?

 

if so, then lay it down…

 

is it worth the effort

required to keep walking

with this particular pressure?

 

perhaps it is time to let it go…

 

is it within my power, do i have the ability

to change this?

 

if not, then throw it up into the wind

like a dandelion gone to seed….

 

and watch it

     b

           l

                o

                       w

away.

 

            –freed

Heather Pound 2024

Photo by Marek Szturc on Unsplash

simply for the love

he catches the wind

over the waves

skimming side to side

one wing at a time

grazing the surface

completely without fear

 

instinctively knowing

the ways of the sea

the currents

both of the water

and the air above

the tools he chooses

 

and wouldn’t you choose them too

if all that was required

was to spread your wings

to soar?

 

            –the albatross we saw

 

Heather Pound 2024

Photo by Rodolfo Mari on Unsplash

come to life with expectation

that what has been

is not what always will be,

that you are older

wiser and carry

more strength than before.

 

come to life with curiosity

hands outstretched to

grasp what arrives next

and next with courage

not rushing but

not holding back timid.

 

come to life with stability

seeking to walk with

steadiness, knowing and

learning more about who

you are and accepting

responsibility for the aroma

that remains in your wake.

 

come to life with intentionality

taking what you have received

and doing the best that you can

with knowledge that grows and

becomes wisdom flourishing.

 

but perhaps most of all,

come to life with grace

never forgetting that you

are only one part of the

ensemble that makes up

humanity

—but that you are also a

treasured part of these.

 

Heather Pound 2024

Photo by Jean Gerber on Unsplash