Sometimes
you forget your own truth
the lives you see lived
only a click away
seem so much brighter
and bolder
and richer
than yours
you think you want that
but
center down
feel the air moving
past your nostrils
this is your life
here and now
how will you live it?
this is your truth
how will you speak it?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
On being short of breath
Coup le sluffle et
Suspend les battements du coeur
I was sixteen
studying French
reading a book named
parmi les hommes
among men
about Afghanistan
my teacher encouraged us
to memorize phrases
I remembered
Coup le sluffle et
Suspend les battements du coeur
cuts the breath and
suspends the heartbeat
now – away from any
awe-inspiring vistas
I find my breath is cut
How long before my
heartbeats are suspended?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
when I slow down
so that each
movement becomes
deliberate and
gentle
time expands
Space opens
this moment
becomes eternal
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
My head is shaking
fear of the future deepens
this moment comforts