Authentically Bekah

Headwind

—

by

Bekah
in

The headwind is merciless

and yet I still stumble forward

cursing it, hating it, wishing it would change directions,

why is THIS the way I have to go?

~

I squint, not able to gaze directly ahead

tears sting at the corners of my eyes

from the fierceness of the wind

onslaughting my face

~

I spit out the grit and dust

that manages to get into my mouth

in spite of it being clamped shut

my throat has dried out and I cough instinctively 

~

One arm extends forward in front of my face

I duck my head, my nose pointing towards my shoulder

A futile attempt to protect myself from the barrage

But what can I do against such powerful wind?

~

I lean into the wind, pressing onward

trying desperately not to get knocked over

“This can’t last forever,”

I reassure myself through clenched teeth

~

Even though in the moment I have my doubts

I keep going, sometimes being pushed back

or straight up knocked down, flattened on the ground

but rising again and again, slowly plowing forward

~

Finally the wind relents

and when it does I realize

how much stronger I have become

I have resilience I didn’t know was within me

~

In the moment, I wanted nothing more

than the wind to cease

but if it had stopped sooner than it did

would I be who I am now?

~~~~~

#headwind #vss365 #poetry

On Twitter (or “X” as it is now called) I came across this prompt requiring you to use the word “headwind” in a short poem or very short story you write. I thought I would be writing something rather short for it, but it grew and grew so I decided it would be best posted on my writing blog. Whatever you are facing, I hope you find the courage to keep going! We can do it and we will be stronger for it!

© Rebekah Krause 2026

Comments

5 responses to “Headwind”

  1. Nathaniel Avatar
    Nathaniel

    Good to see you’re back!
    I think it’s important to not always fight the wind, but to go with the flow and use that energy to direct where we want to go. Like sails on a ship, they harness all types of wind to their benefit. Although, storms are unavoidable in life and necessary to survive to tell the tale.

    Reply
    1. Bekah Avatar
      Bekah

      Very true, sometimes it is necessary to go with the flow and see where the wind will take us vs struggling against it.

      Reply
  2. Marianne Ayers Avatar
    Marianne Ayers

    I love this poem! The imagery is amazing! I feel like I’m right there in the headwind with you. I love the message too of the wind making you stronger. It’s so true that hard times make us stronger and we don’t realize it til after the fact.

    I’ve definitely had moments like that, times where all I wanted was to escape the moment but looking back I see how much stronger it made me for surviving. Beautiful work! Keep writing! I get so excited when I see you’ve posted something new. ❤️

    Reply
    1. Bekah Avatar
      Bekah

      Thank you so much! You are always so kind and encouraging. I’m glad to hear I described it adequately so that you could feel like you were there with me. I know I only know a little of your story, but you are definitely a resilient, strong soul for what you have made it through. Thanks for reading and faithfully commenting. =)

      Reply
  3. Marie Avatar
    Marie

    Such a very powerful poem!! I can visualize actually being there. Sometimes life gives us no other option than to brave the storm. Thank you for the reminder that such storms are worth persevering through.

    Keep up the excellent work! You are an exceptional writer!

    Reply

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