Medicinal Mindlessness

Laid back on plush lawn chair in permanently shaded spot hearing only gentle brushing of leaves in the wind and chirps of birds and mind following sounds and sensations as
coming in and out of consciousness with the tide of breezes as they flow over hair follicles and
nothing matters but this moment and
this moment and
this moment and
this
this
this

Heat

by Heather Ford-Helgeson

I love the heat.
I love
the
heat.
It is in sun
that
every follicle
stands
and sways
and sings
after months
of being
pushed
squashed
layered
and
hidden
by wool
and
denim.

I expose my
skin to even
the slightest
air
wearing perhaps
less than
I should
but I cannot
help
myself
as I have
longed
for
breezes.
 
There is no like
to hot skin
meeting cool
water.
Nothing sticks
I am light
and free
refreshed and revived.


But the heat
waits for me,
to once again
flush my skin
stick my skirt to my legs
prickle the hairs on my neck
and leave me feeling
blissfully
spent
when,
at night,
I
slip into soft
cool
sheets
and
prepare
for
another day
of
heat.

Again Begin Again

by Heather Ford-Helgeson


A fortunate
we
who live among
seasons,
where spring arrives
to a
sold-out stadium
filled in anticipation
of its
performance.

Dappled sun through new leaves
and puddles slop over curbs
dry up
and leave mud
caked
and smelling
like
something old and new
all at once.

Birdsongs change from
caws only
to
cardinals courting
and robins
joyous in finding
fat
worms.

Grass greens within
seeming
moments
and toes
too bloom
from boots into
damp earth and
soft blades.

The sun finds
its stride
and its
heat
finally
hits
in force
and every bit
of exposed skin
tingles and
revels and
reveals
life
is
in
every
cell.