whether to know
two ways today I’m asked
if I want to know
what’s in the air we’re breathing
and the answer is
I don’t know
because we can’t stop bringing it into our bodies
and we aren’t the type to pick up and move
the numbers may tell us
what we don’t want to hear
but if we don’t know
at least we don’t know
Margaret says,
We’re doomed. And?
Sarah says,
Don’t give your worries swimming lessons.
I say,
When can I just breathe easy?
And, will my children ever?
conscious breathing
Every time you breathe, you exhale some 25 sextillion (that’s 2.5 × 1022) molecules of oxygen – so many that with a day’s breathing you will in all likelihood inhale at least one molecule from the breaths of every person who has ever lived. And every person who lives from now until the sun burns out will from time to time breathe in a bit of you. At the atomic level, we are in a sense eternal.
Bill Bryson, The Body: A Guide for Occupants
breathing in the breath
of every being
that has been
fueled the same way
as despots and saints
breathing out the breath
that will become
part of every being to be
we are not so different
not so separate
not so alone
I take in courage and compassion
send out forgiveness and love
in case you need it
you –
my sons
Rosa the flycatcher patient on her nest
the bright orange wallflower feeding the fritillary
the garter snake sleeping sound under the tree roots
the man who tossed his cigarette butt on the trail today
the unmasked righteous person somewhere in my path
breathing out sentences nobody sees
morning invocation
today the world is sweet
my eyes can and do open
hands clasp
tongue speaks
lips smile
I inhale the breath of trees
and exhale desert wildflowers
blooming at the slightest sign of rain
here we are
all having hit the jackpot
here on this same swirled sphere
together at this very moment
we draw breath
and open to hear the universe call out
a way to ease pain today
and we will
