Heather Pound

perhaps a world where scientific discovery

and knowledge reign supreme, we must

remember that it is not just knowledge

in the head, but what we do with that 

within the heart that really matters.

~~~~

the heart is not simply the place where

emotions come and go, it is the place 

that defines deeper, lasting things:

like loyalty and empathy and sounds in

its depths the character of who we are. 

~~~~

it is what entices us to embody noble or 

beautiful things, to create art and music, 

to pursue peace, to leave the place where 

we live but a few small years and the 

people that dwell within better than 

~~~~

we found it. so, care for your heart lest it 

becomes embittered or cold, lest it is driven 

by selfishness alone, and reside in the place 

where loneliness breeds all kinds of malice.

–desire instead to dwell in the light 

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

i know that it has been a while,

that you are tired of seeing that person

that you love struggle. they are tired, too.

~~~~~

but please remember that while ‘just get

on with it’ works for some, that a person

who has experienced trauma still wears

it within their frame. 

~~~~

it is not an experience to forget, 

it is an internal fracture because  

of the experience. 

~~~~

you would not tell someone whose leg 

was broken to just get back to walking. 

the injury of your person is unseen 

and they have likely tried to ‘walk’

on it far too long already. 

~~~~

healing takes time. and support. 

physio for the heart and understanding

as a dressing for the soul. and maybe the help 

of someone who has learned the ways of healing 

for the mind. there will come a time for them 

to get on with it, but it will likely not be when 

you think they should.

~~~~

and they might always have a limp. 

but they will have grown and will be stronger 

in other remarkable ways. with time.

~~~~

—-walking beside someone who is hurting is not easy, but is vital & important work. 

©Heather Pound 2022

you are allowed to 

walk away from

that argument,

that conversation

that disturbs,

that relationship

that damages,

the situation that

steals your sleep.

~~~~

you can change 

your definition 

of victory or success

from gaining

the upper hand,

to protecting

and maintaining 

your very own peace.

~~~~

you do not need

to ruminate,

just let it go.

let it slide right off

like a non-stick 

surface and take

back what is one

of the very few things

that truly is your

own–your thoughts.

~~~~

you decide what 

is important, what

takes up residence

between your ears.

no one else can

do that to you—

you get to choose.

~~~~

and you may be 

surprised at what 

arguments, 

conversations,

relationships or

situations you can

handle once you 

have chosen to

foster peace.

~~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

i would have never wished 

for you to go through

the waters that you did. 

i wish i could have been

stronger than the wind, 

more forceful than the

waves. that i could have 

calmed the storm with

a single powerful word. 

but you have made it

to the shore, you have 

crawled up on the sand

and while you may need 

to rest there for some time

that is fine. for while you 

are tired now the onslaught 

has shaped you in spectacular

ways that you would not have 

been before. you have 

had edges smoothed 

and a new shape formed 

that would have taken years, 

if ever, without the storm. 

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

to be accepted, to be included

to be loved for who we are

this, the deepest longing of 

souls that are human

~~~~

and yet we spend most 

of our time distracted, busy

getting on to the next thing

the next task

the next entertainment

ignoring that inner call 

towards connection

and we wilt

and we wither away 

alone in a crowd.

~~~~

throw off the bonds 

that society has fabricated

of how we must conform, fit in

and go for a walk in the meadow

sit under a tree, look up into leaves 

and see the light that filters there.

the quiet humming of air

the gentle way it nuzzles skin

and contemplate for a while.

~~~~

there, within creation 

you will find connection

in the rhythms of nature

and remember that you 

are also linked to Holy.

a balm for your heart 

freedom for you mind

and a clarion reminder 

that you are already 

known 

and loved.

~~~~

when you can breathe free again 

reenter humanity and remember 

that connection is best found 

within simplicity.

not through who you think 

is wanted, but by being genuine  

with who you truly are. 

you cannot find real connection 

without this.

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

there you stand, dipping in your 

toe to test the temperature.

is it too hot or too cold

too challenging or too tame

too tiring or worth the effort 

or are you just afraid.

and meanwhile life is passing

you by, so just jump right in

the water is fine. 

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

i wish that i could kiss away 

your sorrows and tears 

like i could when you were small 

and a mother’s hug 

made everything better. 

and the fact that i believed in you 

was all the consolation

that you needed.

~~~~

but you are older now

life is more involved.

and while experience 

has taught me that you

will make it in the end 

i cannot just make you

believe the same. 

hardship comes and 

this hurt is more palpable 

than just a skinned knee.

~~~~~

if i could carry your pain, i would. 

if i could make your heartache 

my own, this is something that

i would walk a thousand miles to do. 

but now that you are grown

you must carry it alone

and i must watch—and let you go.

~~~~

but when and if you wish 

i am always here 

to be your shelter in the storm. 

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

you used to wear anger like 

amour protective, cinched in

and impossibly tight. but now 

you are clothed with a banner

of kindness instead. 

~~~~

eyes unveiled to see others’ 

needs and hands free to lend 

a helping hand. and I must say 

that while you underrate the gift 

you have to give and think that 

~~~~

‘others must just do it too,’ i can 

remind you that they don’t. and this 

is due to the choices you have made

and that path you have embraced

because it could have been different.

~~~~

and while i used to often worry, now 

i don’t because you have all the 

character that you need gathered 

in close to live a life full and free 

as you drink the cup of kindness.

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

i am grieving a little, lovely poem 

that was in my head three days ago, 

but at the time of inspiration

i was much too busy to record.

~~~~

alas i can still see her frame 

but her essence now is sadly gone. 

her sister may visit in days to come 

but will never look just like she was. 

~~~~

this is not a terrible thing compared 

to major tragedies, of course,

but i think that it is still a shame as 

of her i was quite fond. 

~~~~

—busyness, while sometimes necessary, is the killer of creativity. 

©Heather Pound 2022