breathe.

in stillness i find

deep breaths and

old memories etched

into forever.

inhale. 1, 2, 3, 4.

i count the days

since the last person left.

sensations of my past

reach for my present.

held hostage by fear,

suffocated by shame.

hold. 4, 3, 2, 1.

i found happiness

through tears.

i found meaning

through suffering.

stretched myself.

forgave myself.

hugged myself.

i made friends with myself.

exhale. 1, 2, 3, 4.

i found myself,

the person i needed all along,

grounded on the

four corners of my mat.

all i had to do

was breathe.