Never Again

A Poem by Amy Bolotin

 

Never again
Will I breathe
The air without
Tasting the fear
Of what incubates within it

Never again 
Will I soak
The sun without 
Doubting the truth
Of its heat

Never again 
Will I touch 
A loved one without 
Begging for more 
or
Staying still to sneak
Small bits of hope and comfort
Nostalgic for more reckless touches

I cannot bear
Not to share air
Not to breathe the breath
Of the ones around me

I cannot bear 
To fear the air 
Which is life itself 
Which gives me life
Which fills my lungs 
Feeds my soul

I breathe in 
I breathe out
Deep
I breathe in
I breathe out
Wide
I breathe in 
I breathe out
Slow
Air moves in 
Fills the cracks and crevices
It goes up
It goes down
It goes outward 
And inward
And it heals 
It soothes
It comforts
It inspires
It sets me back to right
Always

Outside air 
Inside air 
Suck it swallow it gulp it 
Inhale inspire
Exhale expire 

Will you ever again
Come near enough to 
Share the air 
To breathe the breath I breathe
Like droplets of life we give 
Away 
And then take in 
Again