Featured Poet - Caroline Berry

5th April 2020. 

This is where my journey began. Not only with writing poetry, but also with living through and eventually overcoming my mental health struggles. In the midst of the global crisis, I felt like it was nature’s way of fighting back and reclaiming its planet. As we began to feel the benefit of renewing and recharging, I started off feeling optimistic and wrote a poem to remind us of all the reasons to feel positive and thankful. 

THE EARTH BREATHES

Aircraft sit grounded on runways,

Fewer travel by train, bus or car

As industries grind to a halt,

Harmful emissions reduce by far

And the Earth breathes ...

No holidaymakers take to the beach

Their rubbish swept out to sea

Parks and playgrounds clear of human debris

Nature and wildlife roam free

And the Earth breathes ...

Everyone tends to their gardens

Pruning and planting away

The soil is enriched; the insects will come

Bringing life to another day

And the Earth breathes ...

The streets are cleaner, quieter, safer

We know all our neighbours’ names

Families unite in comfy togetherness

Rediscovering favourite games

And the Earth breathes ...

A note from a random stranger,

A street united in clap and cheer

A new wave of kindness, respect and love

As we hold our loved ones dear

And the Earth breathes ...

As nature carries on regardless

Simple pleasures bring us delight:

The blossoming trees,

A gentle spring breeze,

The warmth of the sun burning bright

And the Earth breathes ...

The promise of summer is near

Birds singing in cleaner, blue skies

Renewed and recharged, we’ll never forget

The World’s beauty in front of our eyes

And the Earth breathes ...



~

June 2020

When the sadness took hold and the walls started closing in. 

ANXIETY – A LOCKDOWN LAMENT

Fear of the oppressing walls I abide

Fear of the maddening crowds outside

Fear of needing distance, a little more space

Fear of no comfort, no loving embrace

Fear of doing wrong, judged by those I revere

Fear of not standing up for things I hold dear

Fear of how others unfairly perceive me

Fear of the good person I endeavour to be

Fear of going out always wearing a smile

Fear of friends seeing it slip for a while

Fear of being in the depths of my mind

Fear that not thinking enough won’t bring kind

Fear of bottling emotions inside of me

Fear of exposing my mind for the world to see

Fear of hearing the daily news update

Fear of the unknown, ever-changing state

Fear of slowing down, of mundane routine

Fear of rushing about here, there, in-between

Fear of returning to a disjointed reality

Fear of staying in a world that lacks clarity

Wings clipped for so long, finally set free

And yet here I stay in the comfort of me.

~

LADY IN THE FOG

I see you there

With your empty stare.

I see the sadness behind your dark eyes

I know how you manage to smile through your cries.

I feel the loneliness you wreak

Understand the comfort that you seek

The soft fur of a dog, the warmth of the sun

Anything to remind you that life still goes on.

And to desperately feel some joy that is gone.

You’re there, but not there, 

This reality, just a dream

Trying to find your way through the fog;

Yet no sound comes out when you scream.

I hear your quiet sobs behind your dark lens

Your utterances of ‘I’m fine’

Trying to fade away

Get through another day

But others don’t know what to say.

And one by one they drift away.

When we’re sailing, flying high

We don’t want to be dragged down from that blue sky

Come back when you’re on the same path as me

Don’t let your sadness darken my glee.

~

September 2023

I wrote this poem for World Suicide Prevention Day. It is a grounding technique using the senses that I would use with my students who were struggling with anxiety and panic. 

AND STILL THE EARTH SPINS

When there’s a sadness in your heart that won’t depart,

And an aching in your chest you daren’t express, 

When your world feels empty

And nothing’s going right,

Try to see that tiny slither of light:

A kind message from a friend, 

A stranger’s smile, 

A dog’s wagging tail

Never fails to beguile. 

The sparkle of stars 

So far yet so near,

A celestial reminder of why we’re all here. 

When there’s a sorrow in your eyes you can’t disguise,

A well of tears ever ready to overspill,

When the days feel so long

And you can’t carry on

Breathe, my friend and let yourself feel:

A cool winter’s breeze,

The rain on your face,

The warmth of the sun,

A loved one’s embrace. 

The beat of your heart 

Reminds us we’re still alive

Each breath that you take, 

Another step to survive. 

When all hope is lost 

And happiness, a dream 

The people around us

Just not what they seem,

When your head is foggy

Your thoughts dark and unclear, 

Take another deep breath

And listen to what you hear:

The chattering of chums,

The gossiping gulls,

The laughter of children

That never gets dull. 

The hum of car engines,

Crunch of footsteps on leaves, 

The babbling stream

And the rustling trees. 

When your world seems to be crumbling;

You can’t see a way out,

Think of the things that are never in doubt:

The smell of fresh coffee,

Of early morning dew,

The aroma of burnt toast

Or gran’s homemade stew.

The taste on your tongue as you relish each bite,

The softness of child’s skin

As you kiss them goodnight. 

The World still spins

Even when we’re standing still,

Know that you’re loved

And love how that feels. 

The future’s unknown 

But you’re never alone,

The World needs you my friend,

Let Her strength guide you home.



~

April 2024

A PLACE WITHOUT DARKNESS

There’s a place that I visit when the world is dark

When the fog befalls me and the way forward is stark.

A place of blue sky, where the sun always shines

Where the flowers smell sweet and the blackbird’s song chimes.

Where there’s always sweet music and no angry words

The only gossip is that of the chattering birds.

A place full of laughter, of smiles and good cheer

With all that you love and all those you hold dear.

A simple place, uncluttered by greed

All colours embraced, a love for each creed.

A place with no violence, no suffering, pain, 

No perilous fighting for meaningless gain.

A place of no hatred, no sadness, no grief

But one of kindness, compassion, hope and belief.

The clouds are hidden and the path is clear

There’s no one to hurt you and nothing to fear.

A place without darkness, no empty desire

A place in which to live I aspire.



~

May 2024

Struggling with self-doubt

WHAT IF?

What if the dream isn’t right after all?

The thing that I’m chasing is destined to stall?

Should I listen to my heart? To its moan and its whine?

Or dash away quickly lest it tarnish my shine?

Take my head out the clouds

And stop craving fool’s gold

What if to walk away is more bold?

What if the dream is the thorn in my side?

I need to gently extract it

And cast hopes aside?

What if I lift up the anchor

And sail out to sea

Off into the horizon

Finally free?

See what journey kismet takes me on

Let it decide my destiny’s song.

What if I let fate take the reins?

Let it unlock the fetters

And unshackle the chains

Unbridled by need

And obsessive desire

To let go of the dream to which I aspire.

Tired of forever holding my breath

Waiting and wanting then feeling bereft

Each spurn another twist to my heart

Is it time to let the cruel lover depart?