Poetry by Caroline Johnstone

Leave Your Past Behind

Weary one. 

I see the weight 
Of memories
You choose to carry still, 
That drag
Your head and heart 
Down, 
Down,
Downwards to the ground. 

Admit the myths 
You weave,
That web that binds you 
To what was;
And blinds you to
Your light and power. 

Take back your truth. 
Decide to tell
Your grown up story. 
Dig. 

Dig now a hole and bury deep
The sugar coated lies, 
Regrets, and shame
That hold you down and back. 

Scatter your excuses. 
Let go the blame and guilt. 
Just let them go, 
And cover them with grace. 

Stand tall again, to dream
And shine your light. 
See the wonder of all 
That lies before you.


​

Refined By Fire

Start from where you are.
Come to the threshold
Of this day,
And surrender your heart;
Dive into adventures
And may your spirit dance, 
Not drag its heels through life. 

Start believing in your dreams 
The ones that echo, whisper still,
For life is not a dress rehearsal. 
Drown the doubters,
Drown your fears
With faith in you,
And jump through risk
To learn the art of start. 
     
Unwrap your gifts
To share them with a world
That aches to fill the space
Your wrapping up of 
Self for fear of others leaves. 
You are made from stardust. 
Shine. 

Start to live again
Unpeel your heart from 
All its layered grief 
That’s made you cold, 
That’s left you brittle. 
Pick up your Kintsukuroi pieces,
For you are gold,
Refined by fire. 
I see your scars. 
I see your beauty. 

​
​
Caroline is originally from Northern Ireland, now living in Ayrshire.  She writes stories through her poems, mainly on philosophical, political and life experience themes and has been published in the UK, Ireland and the U.S. She is the social media manager for the Federation of Writers Scotland, is on the Poets Advisory Group for the Scottish Poetry Library, is a keen part of the Women Aloud NI community and a member of Scottish Pen.

She writes books on journaling and happiness and wellbeing, and runs a number of workshops that dare people to be happier. .