What animal is your heart?

Over the past few weeks, in our Monday sessions, we have been working towards writing poems in response to the prompt

"What Animal is your Heart?"

This is a poetry prompt we have used before, so while we're finalising the ones we have written this time around ready for publication, I think it is also worth sharing those written back in 2020 in response to the same prompt ...

***

There is no animal quite like my heart
But
I would like my heart to be like a bird
Flying everywhere in the world
freely

But now
My heart is like a bird trapped in a cage
I can’t fly
I can’t do anything
I can’t feel freedom

When I see a caged bird
I remember
God created the bird
To live outside
For freedom

Looking out from the cage
I see
All the birds flying free
Except me

My heart is soft

One day
Someone will unlock the cage
And when they do

I will fly

***

My heart is like a bee
It is caring, industrious and loving
It can’t survive just on its own
It co-operates with others to learn and live

My heart produces love like honey
It is sweet, calm and tender
It supports healthy living
It encourages and gives hope about life matters

My heart resists danger and fear,
It is open, wide and defensive
It only stings when it is attacked or disturbed
But it brings out of bitterness, sweetness.

Whatever happens, my heart will bee kind.

***

My heart is a mysterious wolf
But I wish it were even more wolf-like

Sometimes my heart is a lone wolf
Wandering around not really knowing where he is heading
It is difficult to see what he can bring to others
Or
What others can offer to him
But always he wants to belong to the pack
Finding safety and love.

My heart is a legendary wolf
He pursues his own path to the safe place
He is determined and never surrenders
Going beyond anything we can imagine

Like the wolf,
My heart is inscrutable
He is always wild and cannot be tamed
Where there is trust, he can be open
Making himself vulnerable
But in danger or disappointment
He withdraws into himself

As part of the pack, he is caring and protective
Family-orientated
Always defending the weak.

My heart is a mysterious wolf
But I wish it were even more wolf-like.

***

In the ocean I walk
In the ocean I swim
On land I crawl
On land I glide
I have many brains
I am plenty smart
I make many gains
I am a fine art
I am boneless
I am a bit odd
But I am not spineless
I am awed
My arms have free reign
They are curious
My arms are not a strain
They are glorious
My skin is smooth
But can be deceiving
I am a picture of youth
But don’t be believing
I am a master adapter
It is why I always rise
I am ingenious
I am wonderous
I am marvellous
I am an Octopus

***

My heart is like a dog
It feels love, joy, sorrow and pain
It has thoughts, emotions and hopes
My heart is loyal, attentive
It is protective
Full of compassion and forgiveness
Finally
My heart is
Present

***

My heart is like a sweet puppy with a fluffy, white coat
It is so cute, nice and beautiful
It is vulnerable and easily hurt

The puppy is easy to carry
Because it is small and light
Sometimes, my heart too,
Is light
But sometimes
It feels like a heavy weight
Not easy to carry at all

Like the puppy
My heart is inoffensive
And full of love

But when it is a puppy
A dog is still a dog
And it can
Bark
Even though it is harmless
Some people are sacred

My sensitive heart doesn’t want problems with anyone
It just wants happiness and protections
To care and be cared for

The puppy, my heart
They just need
Love.

***

These poems appeared in our poetry book, Soaring with Clipped Wings, published June 2021.