How. To. Breathe.

Try to breathe… in

(incredibly) long and (impossibly) deep,

(fill your lungs to bursting) with enormous gulps and furtive savor (the stolen and unseen moments)

(cherishing) all the life (and love)

(humbly and gratefully) around you (and us).

Hold these breaths (strong and fast)

and these moments, (advancing and retreating)

(wonderously) preciously close…

then… release (thunderously)

one by one (heartbeat by heartbeat).

and know (believe)

that another breath (renewal)

another (promised) moment (while not guaranteed)

awaits.

Even small actions (acorns)

(passionately) done with great love (purpose)

can eventually surpass (oak trees)

our wildest dreams (desires)

and (most private) hopes.

Try to breathe… in (inhale and exhale)

again… and again (welcome and expel)

(in tiny sips) every moment, of every day (with determination)

for as long as you can (gracefully).

This is the secret (whispered)

and the promise (in depth and shallow)

of (intellectually) “being” (emotionally) present,

of experience (life),

of (shared) love and joy,

of thought.

The secret… of breathing

is not (only) in the invitation (or the farewells) –

it is in the wanting…

to move (fiercely) forward…

(both) together (and apart).