I've been taking lots of deep breaths lately
Running behind
my body flashes hot
breathe in, breathe out
pick up the pace.
Work piling up
no end in sight
breathe in, breathe out
finish one thing.
A student spiraling
my defiance rises, too
breathe in, breathe out
ask for support, continue teaching.
Another COVID notice
shake my head
breathe in, breathe out
adjust my mask.
Watching the news
sadness reigns
breathe in, breathe out
turn off the television.
The couch beckons
my body is tired
breathe in, breathe out
walk around the block.
The harvest moon glows
I step outside in the dark
breathe in, breathe out
in that pause, all is well.
I always look forward to seeing how the poet will close the stanzas when there is so much pain and uncertainty going on. You did it well and with peace. "In that pause, all is well" Amen, sister. Peace. Hang in there. Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Love Ya, Dad.
ReplyDeleteI like how you built in a rhythmic breath into this poem. It helped me to take notice to breathe in and breathe out.
ReplyDeleteI feel the stress in your words and the comfort of the harvest moon too! I stepped out for a look last night and it was incredible! Sometimes all we can do is cling to the "all is well" pauses.
ReplyDeleteThis week as I listened to a colleague facilitating a meeting, I noticed slight pausing at random intervals. Having had asthma attacks as a child, I recognized it: a struggle for breath. Not that she was sick or nervous. It had something to do with the desire to press on and, I think, something deeper. I mentioned it to her afterward - "Maybe you should practice mindful breathing?" She said that's actually been mentioned to her before. I wonder if it might save some small measure of physical and mental exhaustion. I sense the mindfulness in your poem, in the moments of great pressure as well as in moments of awe (that harvest moon). Such release in that...
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