Breathe

Breathe consciously 

Not only when times are tough

But, when thank you spills out of

Every pore of our bodies

Smile often

Even when sad

Giving in to and up to sadness

Feeling it deeply

Go slowly

Ah, my lesson

No need to rush and 

Miss all of life flashing by

Enter into the earth

Travel deeply within

Moving through liquids and gases

That flow all around your heart

Dive into the sea

Where creatures and other beings

Float and swim, live and die

Just like we do

Skip, Jump, Play

With pets, people

Children and old people

Play with great seriousness

Speak loudly and often

Listen to the great Silence

Encompassing us all

Even those of us who love words

Listen to the smells of earth

Taste noises and outcries

Feel the texture of the wind

Tickling our noses with pollen

Fly like the bee or butterfly

Crow, hawk, or hummingbird

Delight in flight

Soaring all over the planet

When the day is done

Breathe consciously once more

Letting yourself rest deeply and

Decisively, letting go of all fear

May it be so