The Pure Mercy of The Breath

───

When the big waves hit

I can hold my breath





When my mind holds a scalpel

I can hold my breath





When my chest could give it all away

I can hold my breath









                       [The pop tank]

                       [The bic regulator]

                       [The ash gauge]

                       [The stone gasp]

                       [The crackling bend]



                       [I can hold my breath]









These last waves though

pinned Me

to the ocean floor

Successions of last waves though



                       [I knew I'd never be drowned]









Unsighted bouyancy

No kicks kicked

Breaking surface

Breaching the lessons

Air washing skin

Cordoned to breathe



And then the pure mercy of the breath

















And to look over and see Her too

Surfaced

The sun kissing Us

The shore there