A POEM

She sat at the back

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!

The yellow flower is from my archives.  Its name is Goldencup St. John’s wort, botanical name Hypericum patulum.