An Ode to Spring

Ethereal anticipation fragrantly blossoms

Vivid life bursts forth Protruding through dead Winter dirt

My own self cracks open Escaping from the constricting chrysalis And I am reborn each Spring

I metamorph into new creation I emerge exquisite I ride on the wings of endless possibility

Natalie is a wife and stay-at-home mother who recently revived her love of writing and poetry after battling a cancer diagnosis. She uses life experience, relationships, her children, her faith, and her struggles with anxiety as inspiration for her pieces. She also enjoys photography, painting with her kids, cooking plant based meals, and being out in nature.

You can find more of Natalie’s work on her instagram page: @whollyembraced

Broken Wings

I had seen birds, Screaming in fear and pain, Caught up in a net, Wiggling to get free, Having their wings stuck more.

Then there were onlookers, Watching the disaster unfold, Waiting for the wiggling to stop, They knew, there was no exit, They had learnt it the hard way.

I wanted to cradle these birds

To my hollow chest, Free them from the net, Offer the safety of love.

We are one, they are me, They are you, We are all wiggling birds, Trying to break free of the net With whatever strength We have left In our broken wings.

Cathy Blue

She Waits For Me

I spend a lot of time looking in mirrors not because I like what I see and not because I don’t but because I’m not sure if I know this person and if I do

I don’t know when we met she moves like I do and yet I cannot tell what she’ll do next I’m trying to get to know her but she doesn’t want to be known she hides behind bare lashes and draws dark circles under my eyes I pick at spots on her chin and she tries on five different earrings before choosing the first ones she tried I watch as she leaves she looks at me when I come back and it annoys me that while I have no clue who she is she knows exactly who I am but I watch her and I know that she dances in the morning and watches the birds fly outside my window with longing in her eyes anka a Norwegian poet, currently living in Tasmania. anka started writing poetry to navigate through a life with lots of grief and hardship, while also celebrating living along the way. You can find more work on @anka_poetry on instagram.