I breathe…

I breathe…

I just breathe because in my pain—that’s all I know to do.            

Because there are no tears, no words—                                          

Just the fear of what might be—                                                      

So—I breathe again.                                                                          

I breathe so my body can angulate—                                               

Soothing the pain and despair,                                                         

Promising to carry me far and away—                                                        

but I’m still here.                                           

I breathe to erase the blood and the shame                                    

clearing the smog so I can see again                                                

Jaded in heart, mind, and soul                                                          

I want to be grounded                                                                       

I want to be whole breathing all that is life                                     

Trying to blanket the rage…                                                             

No more a bird in a cage                                                                   

Still afraid to fly—                                                                                                                 

So—I breathe with the passing of time                                                                                            

I just breathe…  ~SLM