i was a pinecone

to begin anew

The poetry urge hit, but this was one of those rare times it was for free verse rather than my usual haiku. A quick read, for when you need a small break.

it is not that they changed me
at least, not exactly

of natural disasters
they were not tsunamis
i may have gotten swept away
but i did not start down new paths
solely because of their influence
whipped around without control

of natural disasters
they were wildfires
burning bright, shining a light
on all the dark corners
leaving damage, certainly
but also leaving fertile soil

because i was a pinecone
and the seeds were in me all along
i was always meant to grow
to push through stubborn earth
to root down and stand firm
to reach toward the light

but i could not do these things
without the heat’s permission
so i thank them for their flames
for kissing me, scarring me
and for being my catalyst

to begin anew

-

Thank you for being here. I hope you care for yourself and others, especially this week.