And they said she was shy
She led from the front
And they hated her pride
They asked her advice
And then questioned her guidance
They branded her loud
And were shocked by her silence
When she shared no ambition
They said it was sad
So she told them her dreams
And they said she was mad
They told her they’d listen
Then covered their ears
And gave her a hug
Whilst they laughed at her fears
And she listened to all of it
Thinking she should
Be the girl they told her to be
Best as she could
But one day she asked
What was best for herself
Instead of trying
To please everyone else
So she walked to the forest
And stood with the trees
She heard the wind whisper
And dance with the leaves
And she spoke to the willow
The elm and the pine
And she told them what she’d been told
Time after time
She told them she never
Felt nearly enough
She was either too little
Or far, far too much
Too loud or too quiet
Too fierce or too weak
Too wise or too foolish
Too bold or too meek
Then she found a small clearing
Surrounded by firs
And she stopped and she heard
What the trees said to her
And she sat there for hours
Not wanting to leave
For the forest said nothing…
It just let her breathe
~Breathe by Becky Hemsley~
Becky Hemsley is an author I have only recently discovered and am so happy I did because when reading her poetry, I find myself saying, "Wow!" Becky lives in Leicestershire, UK, with her husband, two boys and their dog. She was formerly a primary school teacher for 15 years, but now writes full-time and has written four collections. The first - entitled 'Talking to the Wild', which features the poem 'Breathe'. Also, another book now which is a follow on, 'What the Wild Replied. I treated myself to these two books. She also has two further regular collections, and one of loss and grief poetry, as well as three children's books, one of which is an illustrated version of 'Breathe'). She is drawn to, and moved by, nature and its consistencies with human emotion (this I can attest to). In her words, "I often think the phrase 'human nature' is a good one to describe my thought process when writing. I aim to make a difference with words by helping people realize they are not alone." She really is an amazing poet!