About Chris Heeter

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So far Chris Heeter has created 147 blog entries.

Fight, flight, or…

An opossum came calling last night.
Unfortunately, my dog answered the call.

He has a thing about opossums in his yard
and it’s not a very nice thing.

After some discussion, he agreed to go back inside.
And I was left to assess the scene.

Walking up to the rumpled opossum,
it looked like the story would end here.
But there was something […]

By |2024-02-27T14:45:03-06:00February 27, 2024|Wild Poems|

Shifts Happen

“Something shifted during our last session.” That’s how my coaching client described it and I felt it too. I could practically see it happening, even through the tiny screens of zoom. Something brightened across her face, like how light changes when sun breaks through clouds.

Honestly, I think we both were a little startled by how […]

By |2024-02-07T08:50:12-06:00February 7, 2024|Live Wild|

Orion

Just before sunrise this fine winter morning
the familiar stars of Orion shimmer,
with his belt and his sword,
keeping watch over the night sky.

It’s quiet now, a hushed silence before daybreak.
Dappled clouds promise a sunrise
graced with shades of pink and orange
and the particular lavender of winter skies.

We slowly grow accustomed to darkness
this time of year.
Better to accept […]

By |2023-12-18T08:46:08-06:00December 13, 2023|Wild Poems|

Hope, Soap and a Man Named Charles: stories worth telling

As part of my Sustainable Speaking initiative, I research the venue where I’ll be speaking prior to the event. I track down what they are doing to reduce waste, limit carbon emissions, conserve water, that sort of thing. What I’m finding is that each place has a story, but those stories are often hidden.

Take, for […]

By |2023-12-13T08:04:37-06:00December 13, 2023|Work Wild|

Thanksgiving Poem

For the peace and promise of a sunrise.
The quickening of breath that comes
when we take in the beauty of our surroundings.

For the mystery and humility
of daring to see how we are all connected.

For the opportunity, over and over again,
to choose joy.

For waking up every day to the unknown
and the courage to walk into that day.

For […]

By |2023-11-20T16:01:43-06:00November 20, 2023|Wild Poems|

We are here

When all you can see is a world relentless in its harshness
may you be wrapped in the beauty of a gentle autumn day.

When it feels like we shall never find understanding
may you lay down upon this earth, on soft, solid ground
look up at a sky filled with wonder
feel the ground beneath you
and recall how wholly […]

By |2023-10-25T17:09:30-05:00October 25, 2023|Wild Poems|

It’s Time

It’s time.
Time to return to the peace of a true night sky,
where stars smile down with cold, yet welcoming, eyes.
Time to go where sounds matter, where distant sight informs.
Where my senses can safely and surely expand
beyond my carefully constructed civilian walls.

Too long among human dwellings,
I shrink from the constant barrage.
The endless noise that rattles forth
from […]

By |2023-09-26T16:08:36-05:00September 26, 2023|Wild Poems|

Grappling With Wild Dissonance

After long summer days, fall equinox is upon us.  School is back in session.  It’s the Jewish New Year.  It’s the season of warm days and cool nights.  Time to bring in the harvest, to process and preserve.  It’s also when many conferences take place, along with leadership meetings, staff trainings, galas, and other events.  […]

By |2023-09-23T08:03:16-05:00September 23, 2023|Work Wild|

There is more to this world

By all that you deem holy
find something blooming
on this early September day.

Hunt, if you have to, for blooms of purple
or the lavender of dawn.
Seek out bursts of sun gold
or soft yellow, glowing in daylight.

Whatever you find,
greet these fine beauties
with the respect and reverence they deserve.

Get down low,
head on the ground if necessary,
until you can see […]

By |2023-09-06T16:30:13-05:00September 6, 2023|Wild Poems|
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