Retreat, retreat, retreat 🧘

We arrived full of anticipation, laced with fear

Thank goodness Rhi had said “bring some beer”

Yoga and wine

Go together just fine!

Rise and shine at 4am to watch the dawn break 

Sleepy souls strolling past the mirror like lakes

Peace perfect peace as we trekked to the cliff top

The glowing, gorgeous orange sun our backdrop

But there was glowing of a different kind before us

As we lay upon our mats - in Rhi we placed our trust!

Your body - your yoga was the mantra of the day

Just do what you can, come what may

Sweaty bodies, bright red faces

Rhi put us through our paces! 

We knew a reward lay in store 

Gorgeous vegan food for one and all

We ate, we laughed and shed some tears

But Rhi was there to allay our fears

I saw the world from upside down!

A beaming face from my worried frown

Life can be good for you and for me

Practice gratitude daily and you’ll feel truly free 

Reach for the stars and never give up

Yoga will help you fill up your life cup

After all the blood, sweat and tears

The end of the retreat drew near

New friend were made, old ones reunite 

As we come together under starlight 

What better way to end a yoga retreat

Than by a fire ,with wine and treats

Some of us even broke out the sherry 

Everyone was rather merry!

So don’t be afraid to just let it all go

Breathe in, breathe out - go with the flow

Your body can do amazing things 

Yoga can give your soul freedom wings! 

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ Pembrokeshire Poet

Author of Eloquent, a collection of poems, available on Amazon 

23rd June 2025

Claudette the Comma

Claudette the Comma 

I saw a beautiful butterfly as I walked along the lane

I stopped and wondered, what is this beauty’s name?

I took to social media to ask what it was called

The answer I got left me slightly perplexed 

With its gorgeous orange wings

Is known as a Comma

"Claudette the Comma," my witty sister pings

😂🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

Just say …….

There’s a word that we find so hard to say

A small little word and it can get in the way

Sometimes we just can’t say it no matter what

Even though it goes against our gut 

Something so small yet it exerts such control 

We should just follow our heart and soul 

What’s wrong with saying what we feel

It really shouldn’t be a big deal 

So here’s the word you need to know 

That little word - it’s the word no

We don’t have to always say yes okay

Sometimes it’s alright to do things our way! 

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet copyright ©️ 9-6-25

Author of Eloquent, a collection of poems available to buy on Amazon 

Carew Wesley Anniversary 2025

There’s a building nestled alongside the still waters

It has a band of very loyal supporters 

It sits next to the majestic conker tree

Where children collect its treasure with glee

It’s doors are open to one and all

Not just to those who hear Gods call

It’s stood in situ longer than you or me 

Alongside the lofty Horse Chestnut tree 

On Sundays it’s filled with glorious song

But this isn’t just a singalong

Congregational singing full of happiness and joy 

John Brock is definitely our golden boy

Waves of voices rise up like a living sea 

Hearts, minds and spirits are truly free

Singing praises to the Lord our God 

In the place where so many others have trod 

Inside Carew Wesley you’ll find a sanctuary 

But nothing about it is extraordinary 

You’ll find ordinary people like me and you 

Who will help you with whatever you’re going through

In the stillness surrounding you there is a sense of peace 

You can just relax and let all your troubles release 

Here in the presence of our dear Lord

Your heart and soul will be fully restored

These four walls have seen all emotions 

Offered up in praise and devotions

We’ve laughed together but shed some tears

For all those we’ve lost over the years 

So in this quaint little chapel you are not alone

Even strangers are merely friends unknown

So let’s come together in praise and song

To celebrate our faith, which will be lifelong. 

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ 2nd June 2025

Author of Eloquent, a collection of poems - available on Amazon. 

Push Out Your Branches

Push Out Your Branches

The trees stand tall upon the rising lands 

Glorious in every way

Firmly rooted 

Weathering the storms

Some survive 

Others so brittle they fall 

The strongest thrive

The weaker reach for a chink of light

Smothered by the taller, fuller trees

They don’t give up 

They know

Beyond the branches sheltering them

Is life

Despite the maze above them

They reach out their branches 

With the helping hand of rain and sun 

They slowly but surely grow

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet copyright ©️ 

4th June 2024

Author of Eloquent, a collection of poems, available on Amazon ❤️

No judgement within these walls

You slip your hand into mine

I can’t believe you’ve been so kind

I look deep into your eyes

As I lie there and just cry

No judgment made 

No attempt to degrade

Just empathy 

Just kindness 

You are a stranger but you act with care 

Hold my hand while I whisper a prayer

I’m scared, frightened and all alone 

In constant pain I let out a small groan 

You squeeze my arm so I know you are there 

I know you are obliged to provide me care

But you show me kindness and compassion 

I can see you do your job with such passion

In hospitals all barriers come down

All become equal

The gay man saves the homephobic man

The black woman saves the white man

The Catholic nurse comforts the atheist 

If only we had no barriers for all mankind

That we could all live with peace of mind 

No more fighting, wars and prejudice 

If only mankind acted with more selflessness 

We may not all have the same beliefs 

But we could unite in peace, instead of grief?

It’s not our place to judge each other 

Wouldn’t it be better if we just loved one another? 

Joanne Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet copyright ©️ 

Author of “Eloquent” a collection of poems available on Amazon 

Love and Obedience

Love is such a small word that rolls off our tongues

Do we ever consider its true deeper meaning?

It floats out of our mouths as we turn to go 

Love you - we say as we are halfway out the door

We tag it on to material objects, like our favourite mug, pen or socks

But do we ever consider the love gifted to us from above?

An invisible, all encompassing love that comes with no hidden strings attached

What was God’s expectation of us in return for his love?

Maybe He seeks our obedience 

Laid out within the Ten Commandments 

If we can follow and abide by these ten simple rules

Would our lives be fuller, richer 

Would we consider our fellow human beings more?

Surely it is the greatest blessing that can be bestowed upon us 

Love and obedience - God coupled them together - hand in hand 

The depth of love is more than words that trip off the tongue 

Joanne C Hicks

9th May 2025 

Tree Hugging Soul 🌳🥰

Always stop to smell the flowers

Remember life is made up of hours

Stop and soak up the view 

Even if it isn’t new

Let troubles float on by

They will still be there, for another time 

Time spent over trivial matters

Is time we can’t revisit 

Choose positivity 

And words that heal your heart 

What’s better than riches - wild and free?

So please don’t laugh at me 

If you see me wrapped around a tree 🌳 😂

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet copyright ©️ 

6th May 2025

Author of “Eloquent”, a collection of poems, available on Amazon! 

Sea, sand and me

 Sea, sand and me

I gaze across the sea at the white crested waves 

Mesmerised; as they dance, they hold my gaze

Their energy builds as they curl up into a crescendo 

As they glide over the salty waters like a flamenco 

So much energy flooding towards the sandy beach

I stretch out my hand dipping it into the swirling waters 

The cold icy water rushes around my hand 

As I slowly rest it on the golden sand 

Taking a moment with the sea, sand and me

The water pulls back out and I take in the sea breeze

An empty mind and a chilled out vibe 

Yes - this is what the doctor prescribed 

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet copyright ©️ 

5th May 2025

Author of “Eloquent”, a collection of poems, available on Amazon! 

Grow Your Soul

Do you ever lie awake in bed

Your life running around in your head 

Wondering about the life choices you’ve made

Turning down opportunities because you were afraid

So many cross roads you’ve had to ponder

Did you ever take the wrong turn you wonder?

Round and round these thoughts swirl 

Before long your mind is just in a whirl 

But you can’t reverse and go back in time

You don’t need this turmoil at bedtime

So take a deep breath and let it all go 

A calmer soul has room to grow. 

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet copyright ©️ 

Author of Eloquent, a collection of poems, available on Amazon now! 

Society - The Broken Dream

Society is feeling a little broken

Society is feeling a little sad

Society is feeling a little scary

Society is feeling a little uncertain 

Society is feeling like a tempestuous teenager

Lost

Confused

Frightened

Unknown

Divided

Not heard

But there is always hope

There is always love

There is always compassion

There is always understanding 

There is always trust

So when you feel the future swarming in like a big, black, threatening cloud - look for the positives. That’s what makes the world turn. Nothing stays the same - good or bad. 

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ Pembrokeshire Poet 

If Dogs Could Talk ….

If Dogs Could Talk….

You’ve clearly forgotten, you’re in my spot

That seems to happen quite a lot

You know the sofa is where I sit

I call it my cosy, puppy pit

I think you’ve forgotten I have a mouth

I pouted, whined, whimpered and shouted 

But you sat and ate all your tea

Right there - in front of me! 

You didn’t seem all that happy

In fact I’d say you looked displeased 

You placed that fluffy toy in my bed

And in thirty seconds I’d ripped off his head 

I had expected high praise indeed

When I took that toy and set it free

I doggedly pulled his stuffing out

And you - all you did was pout 

When I took you out for a walk 

As we walked through the park

I let out lots of short, sharp barks 

“Quiet” was all you could remark 

I’ve tried so hard to work you out 

I don’t know what you’re about

But I know that we’ve got a special bond 

And here, with you, is where I belong. ❤️

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet copyright ©️ 

20th March 2025 

On The Brink …..

We’re standing on the brink of something looking really dark

Nobody knows where it will end or where did it really start 

The world seems to spiralling, every way we turn 

We don’t appear to have paid heed to lessons already learnt

People facing daily struggles just to feed their families 

Politicians appearing to blank out the community casualties 

World leaders butting heads like angry charging bulls 

Our eyes completely blinkered by the wool they’ve pulled 

I’m staring over the precipice and I just can’t see the light

I don’t want to see any more countries preparing to fight 

Does anyone have the answer to find some lasting peace?

We sit and watch the dream of lower living costs decrease.

We mustn’t give up hope - it’s all we now have left

In many ways, in our country, we are still truly blessed 

I hope the path to brighter days will open up ahead 

Before too many more innocent people end up dead. 

9th March 2025 

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ Pembrokeshire Poet

Is mankind blind?

My heart is full of sadness 

Witnessing such madness

The world needs peace 

We need the fighting to cease

But those in power seem blinkered 

Just wanting to take precious minerals unhindered 

It’s a sad day for humankind

Surely, mankind cannot be so blind 

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet 1/3/2025 copyright ©️ 

Just let it all go…..

Just Let It All Go 

I’ve locked it away deep out of sight 

This pain that will never see the light

Buried way down deep in my soul

But it keeps seeping out of a tiny hole

The moment I thought I heard your voice

The hole gets bigger, like I have no choice

When I thought I saw you across the street

Hoping and praying that we would once again meet 

No - I’ve locked you away you can’t come out

Making me want to scream and shout

Taking over all my feelings and emotions 

Like a firework causing an explosion 

I’ve buried that grief way down deep 

I won’t allow myself to sit and weep

And yet - somehow as the hole grows

And more pain begins to overflow 

I have a sense of relief and the tears flow

I realise that I’m missing you so 

But it’s ok to just let it all go 

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet 24/01/2025

Copyright ©️ 

Life’s Tests

The frustration and nerves whirl round and round

Struggling because that answer just can’t be found

Why do we do it

What does it prove

Life should be easy, just flowing along

Sometimes it feels like failure is my theme song

Again and again - hitting that wall 

I get up and then once again fall

I don’t want to be tested 

Like in life I’m not invested 

But what would life be without any challenges?

Sometimes the good and the bad balances 

Perhaps life’s tests are merely opportunities 

To strengthen life in our communities 

Without challenges how would we grow and learn 

We need to rise up to all its twists and turns

Daily tests, big and small help us find ourselves

Making us soul search and question and delve 

So those hurdles we have to climb may have a purpose

Maybe the strength they give us somehow serves us

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet copyright ©️ 

18th January 2025 

Benji Boo - The Destroyer

Mr Teddy meets Benji Boo

I think Benji Boo deserves a treat
A new squeaky toy will be neat
A bright yellow teddy with shaggy hair  Looks pretty tough, that won’t tear.

I pass Mr Teddy to Benji Boo
And let him have a good old chew
Fast forward about thirty minutes
Mr Teddy has reached his limit

Head hanging off, squeak is no more
Insides lying all over the floor
A brutal toy murder has occurred
The speed of destruction was absurd 

Benji sits alongside Mr Teddy
The dismembered toy looking so forlorn
Pets At Home must love this pup
Man - they’d best stock up! 

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet copyright ©️
15/01/2025

In memory of …….

I let go of the shiny ribbon

And watch as its pace quickens

The ribbon slips away from my fingers

I am longing the feeling to linger 

The feeling of freedom 

The feeling of joy

The feeling of remembrance 

The feeling of peace 

The balloon floats way up high

Weightless, dancing through the blue sky

I clutch my heart and say a prayer 

I will always keep you locked in there

The balloon slowly begins to fall

Lands on the ground, swept along like a ball

The horse saw the glint of the foil in the hedge

He can just reach it, even if it’s a small stretch 

The following morning the girl is met with horror 

She approaches the horse with absolute terror

It’s lifeless body lies in the field, that was it’s home 

Where it was once free to gallop and roam 

The balloon you released to help with your grief 

Which gave some comfort, albeit brief 

Has turned her world upside down 

Her whole body hurts, and she just breaks down. 

I know loss is so hard to bear 

But please find a kinder way to mark loved ones memories 

Sorry if you find this hard hitting but it’s the sad reality of releasing balloons. 🎈 ❤️

Joanne C Hicks 13/01/2025 copyright ©️ 

Pembrokeshire Poet

Half empty or half full….

Half Empty or half full…..

I’m staring at my glass as it twinkles in the light 

Wondering if there is a more beautiful sight

But when you look at that glass, is it half empty of half full?

I guess it’s all about prospective, so let’s go with a brimful

If the glass is half empty you can always fill it up

If the glass is half full, then there’s still plenty to sup

So don’t fret if you think there’s simply not enough

In reality, a lot of us, always have too much stuff! 

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet copyright ©️ 

10/01/2025 

Wasting Away

Wasting Away

Choking - our seas and rivers 

Are slowly choking.

Polluted and swamped

By humankind.

We profess to love animals,

To love the environment.

Yet our lives are surrounded,

by things we just throw away.

A disposable life,

where nothing is treasured.

A second in our hands,

A lifetime in our seas. 

We don’t want the inconvenience,

Carrying a bag, a cup, a straw.

We walk this planet 

With an air of a divine right.

Like humans are better,

Than any other living thing.

Easy come - easy go,

We are far too busy to care.

Meanwhile our waters,

Are littered with micro plastics.

Plastics filtering into the food chain,

Killing innocent creatures.

The damage is done,

The pollutants are out there.

Imagine being smothered,

By a man made material. 

Only we can make the change,

Reduce out waste.

Care more about our planet,

All its living creatures.

Let’s take a moment,

Stop and think.

If we had to keep all our waste,

Would we all create so much? 

J C Hicks ©️ copyright 6/2/23