I love the way you take us between and through a few different elements here, air and water. The dance of your thoughts and juxtaposition is charming and delightful. I also love the honesty of your simple self reflection :)
Also, appreciation for your “ruach” there and the accompanying “the Ruach of God cannot be duplicated | it can only be breathed in and responded to.” A lot.
Wow, thank you for sharing. I remember my time in Israel and Jordan. Though it was longer ago than I thought possible, and also realized, it was though I was transported there with your writing. I could feel everything. Also, I love the use of "just because life" several times. It is amazing how saying so little explains significantly more. Plus, who can't relate to the dynamic complexity -pain and joy - of life.
I used to handle the records for the Batfish when I was on shore duty. I toured it and appreciated how the CO's and XO's stateroom were listed as Batman and Robin, respectively, with the number of which they were
“It called me to come encounter this.” Love love love this line, what an exquisite pairing of words and overall, a lovely cadence. Thank you for this lovely one, Trish.
I like this poem so much Jillian! I want to read and read it again, and find myself wanting to read parts 2, 3, 4...Each line is complelling, and these lines right at the beginning drew me right in.
"That restless becoming
Draws me
I N
And then lets me O U T"
"Restless becoming" what a wonderful line. I look forward to reading your writing every day!
breathing in d e e p l y
notice your entire being
refreshed
restored
here
I like the feeling this poem brings.
I'm glad it landed in/on you this way.
This is really nice, Bob!
I'm glad you like it and grateful you said so.
'I can't breathe' said the young student
caught in the crossfire
taking water to the student protestors
'I can't breathe' said the innocent black man
destroyed by the violence
of the authorities
Surely it is never right to steal
the air from the lungs of
another living breathing human being
That’s a powerful subject to touch. I applaud your boldness and the honor you do it.
Thank you :)
I would like to like this one 100 times.
Well written. I can see those without air.
thank you - this one is one of those poems which apparently was waiting to be written and just flowed out...
inspired indeed
This is right on Jane, and so much on my mind and the minds and hearts of so many. Thank you.
Laying in
the longed-for
Pacific Northwest
Sun
My body
Breathes all over
Every pore
Per(spir)ating
A gentle
Breeze unfurls
Blows slowly head to
Sole
Each bead
Upon my skin
Rolls, flutters
A(spir)ating
Above me
the tree canopy
Rustles lushly in
Praise
We breathe the air
Together
Con(spir)ing
drop dead gorgeous
the canopy lushly rustling, in praise.
ahhh...
This is spectacular Sarah. It madce me long for the northwest brought righ tinto a natural place where "peace and balance ar the rule."
Air
Inhaled life
Our first breath
Sometimes our last
Sometimes in short, desperate gasps
Sometimes long, deep breaths
Sometimes taken in completely unaware
Sometimes our sole awareness
Sometimes constricted
Sometimes assisted
Sometimes desired
Sometimes resisted
Always the same result
Inhaled life.
“Always the same result.” Agreed with Bob; beautifully framed to lead us right to that powerful finish. Thank you 😊
beautifully framed
Handel's Water Music: Air
The thin atmosphere on Haleakala
(or Whitney
or Hood)
Damp humidity, my sweat won't evaporate
I can't breathe
I can't breathe
I can't breathe
The string part is so beautiful on that piece
I need another Snickers, my legs are jello
(how far away is the summit, and which is the summit, and why is the snow melting?)
Birds pant in the sunshine
Let me breathe
Let me breathe
Let me breathe
The Air We Breathe
Just breathe.
Deep breath in, deep breath out.
Calm down; take a breather.
In through the nose, out through the mouth.
How odd that we must be instructed or reminded on how to consume this most valuable of resources...
The air we breathe.
Karri Temple Brackett
May 11, 2023
https://themarvelousandthemundane.com/2023/05/11/the-air-we-breathe/
That’s right! And still, we learn as we must in these hopelessly, wonderfully human lifetimes :)
This is wonderful Karri!
A warm, gentle breeze,
a contended sleepy sigh,
a deep belly breath;
I have survived for
so long with only the most
shallow ins and outs,
making myself small
even within my very
lungs, starving for air.
Expanding freely
now, within and without, I
am deeply alive.
Enjoy the rest of this lifetime of deep, pleasurable breaths! 😊
This is exceptional A. Your words wrap me right in and I can feel those short shallow breaths. Thank you.
That's so kind, thank you Larry.
Air
I breathe in
fresh air
there isn't a hint
of diethylamine
so it isn't
submarine air
which means there
isn't an
underway and underwater
adventure at hand
that is a shame
in a way
the "backyard" sounds
of sea life
opening up
the mystery of creation
and of YHWH's
creative power
only a fraction of a percent
of the people
will ever experience such
grace
it's funny
that a chemical smell
in the air
will bring such
powerful memory
in the midst
of military might
the air gives hint
of the limits
of human power
against the
backdrop of
creative grace
the ruach
(wind, breath, spirit)
of God
can not be duplicated
it can only be breathed in
and responded to
and that will bring about
holy adventure
that puts
submarine life
in perspective
look what
reflecting on
air
can bring up
I love the way you take us between and through a few different elements here, air and water. The dance of your thoughts and juxtaposition is charming and delightful. I also love the honesty of your simple self reflection :)
Also, appreciation for your “ruach” there and the accompanying “the Ruach of God cannot be duplicated | it can only be breathed in and responded to.” A lot.
I think about this very often, haha, and it made me think of a post I wrote a few months ago that says the same in my own way. If you’re interested: https://open.substack.com/pub/jillianjoy/p/25-days-of-israel-day-4?r=2achwh&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Thanks, Steven!
Wow, thank you for sharing. I remember my time in Israel and Jordan. Though it was longer ago than I thought possible, and also realized, it was though I was transported there with your writing. I could feel everything. Also, I love the use of "just because life" several times. It is amazing how saying so little explains significantly more. Plus, who can't relate to the dynamic complexity -pain and joy - of life.
Thank you for sharing with me.
I was on a submarine.
Brother of the 'phin. I was on the USS AUGUSTA (SSN 710)
USS BATFISH SSN 681,
sail on, shipmate
I used to handle the records for the Batfish when I was on shore duty. I toured it and appreciated how the CO's and XO's stateroom were listed as Batman and Robin, respectively, with the number of which they were
I liked the orange batman bat emblems we painted on the mat vent covers. I was an EM2 my specialty was keeping the soft serve ice cream machine alive.
I was sitting on my porch breathing in the morning. It was a perfect companion.
yourself? porch? breathing? morning?
all are pretty great companions...
Air
I stood in a cloud this morning.
Looking out the window,
I watched the fog
creeping from the valley
up to our spot on the hill.
It called me to come
encounter it.
Yes, the cool moisture
could be felt
on my skin.
But to my surprise,
the air enveloping me
felt fresh.
This air had
the fragrance of freshness.
I woke up.
Who knew there could be
such delight
found in the midst
of a cloud?
“It called me to come encounter this.” Love love love this line, what an exquisite pairing of words and overall, a lovely cadence. Thank you for this lovely one, Trish.
Encounter it* apologies. (Such a nice verb in any case! A lot of honesty. A lot of respect.)
Vivienne didn’t get to her poem today, but I tried one 😬
Air:
Violence, hatred, injustice
It’s in the American air we breathe
But what if the antidote is there too?
If we just breathe a little deeper
Letting the particles of Love fill our lungs
Like all the freedom fighters before us
Inhale Love, exhale the rest
My lungs gasp for you,
Eagerly anticipating your arrival.
A spring cold shocks my airways,
As well as my dwindling stash,
Of cold and flu supplies.
LIz, this is wonderful. That first line is a gem--"My lungs gasp for you."
Thank you!! A coughing fit inspired it--so illness is not always in vain!
That is making lemonade out of lemons! May all of your fits bring such inspiration!
"Phffffftttttttttttt"
sounds youngest Will
in a bowel training session.
"just some air, Willie, my boy"
smiles the instructor.
"I have AIR inside me?"
Mind boggling.
Like a seedling.
Air
Whoosh
That restless becoming
Draws me
I N
And then lets me O U T
I stand at once on the edge of precipice
And the highest peak,
Letting myself get blown around
In the dance between spirit and matter
Not a pawn
Just a sorcerer
My vision narrows
And then widens
A perfect V
For victory
For virtue
My mind races through a thousand possibilities
But in this loving container
I find my way back again
Poignant
My air is the quality that
Helps me take it all in
Bring it home
Name it mine
Even for one fleeting moment
I bring it inside
Sovereign
To know it better
Feel it closer
To know myself better in its light
If that’s where you are
That’s where you’ll be
I fly in the air
Courageous
Fearless in its heights
Supernova
In the scope of infinity
I am precisely and radiantly me
A refracted rainbow
Beaming through the air
I like this poem so much Jillian! I want to read and read it again, and find myself wanting to read parts 2, 3, 4...Each line is complelling, and these lines right at the beginning drew me right in.
"That restless becoming
Draws me
I N
And then lets me O U T"
"Restless becoming" what a wonderful line. I look forward to reading your writing every day!
Air
Late night crisis,
young child awakes, screaming.
Gasping for air,
“I can’t breathe.”
A beginning.
Through the years,
the gasping, heart pounding
frightened child turned man
still gasping, still grasping,
still waiting for the rip tide
to sweep them out to sea.
Finally a name, defining, labeling
the security of certainty
the freedom of definition
of being able to say
“anxiety.”
Swimming now in a different light,
coming up for air
before that perilous last second,
lungs straining to find
even one simple, shallow breath.
Knowing that there is no need
to kneel on the edge of drowning.
I can come up for air anytime.
"The freedom of definition," indeed.
Yes, indeed. Blessings!
Sometimes,
All I need is the Air that I breathe
And to Love you
~ The Hollies ~