“Trauma & Fauna; Better & Worse”

Written on April 2nd, 2025

“Trauma & Fauna; Better & Worse”

A poem by Amanda Seckington

The Hawk visits me daily and says:

“The answer is, ‘Yes!’ 

No matter how uncomfortable at times, 

You are on the ‘right’ path.. 

You could never get it ‘wrong!.’ “

The Raccoon slinks past me at night as a warning:

“I see you are drinking with the Moon again.. 

It bloats your belly with the regret of your ancestors. 

Haven't you yet found other company than Ghosts?“

The Otter wriggles on the bank of the river 

fluttering around, tending to its fur, proclaiming: 

“Your load is too heavy..

Why trod when you can glide?

You'll be most wise once you remember,

This is all one Big Joke,

And you are the punchline..”

The Coyote speaks as a pack,

Meandering in the seldom touched 

Corners of the Shadow,

Whimpering and howling to remind:

“You wish only to be soft,

As a woman ‘should’ be but, to every 

Woman there is a side which is prickly!

Like an exotic fruit with a sweet, nourishing center.”

Kilili (Higher Me):

“The universe is in constant conversation…

Sometimes, it's just small talk.

‘What lovely (or terrible) weather we're having…

Take note of the latest celestial bodies aligning.’

Sometimes, it’s all business.

‘You should go here, on this day,

And only say this much..

Don't forget a coat or sunscreen.’

Sometimes, it is a deep heart to heart.

‘You are worthy to recall every dream.

It may not always be easy but…

We've given you the right head, 

On the right shoulders.’

Sometimes, it's the nurturing voice of a nurse.

‘Have you eaten enough today?

It's always better when you move your body.

Take the time to breathe deeply.

Put down your vices.’ “

But all those voices and conversations have to 

be filtered through the mind, the body that I call “me.”

Me, who you gave, first and foremost,

The ability to listen and observe, keenly.

And then you gave her the wildest imagination.

Balanced by a sizable inclination to reason.

Staunch on Logic. 

Not knowing any other way other than 

To be whimsically matter-of-fact.

And at the Center you got your Willing Participant.

Here at your mercy, for I have come to understand:

“For Better. For Worse.”

And because you know me best,

I am a sucker for Beauty.

And you have seen to it to weave your 

Beautiful Magic through them both:

Better & Worse.