whilst we waste our
b
r
e
a
t
h
the meal ordered took too long
someone takes their
l
a
s
t
cut down ~ bloodied holes that pierced
the skin or sliced with steel paper thin
he refused to carry weapons
his crime? wrong place ~ wrong time
on a cold and stony road she
lies gasping for her final breath
hit by one who drank ~ who swore he
didn’t see her car, she wore no safety belt
alone in an empty lane ~ forgotten old
feeble, slouched on cold brick walls
his organs failing from abuse
his begging plea no longer heard
he’s old he hears them whisper
~ had a good innings, he hears them say
as he lies on starch white sheets
his maker to carry him away
and someone is breathing their
f
i
r
s
t
on crackly sheets, fluorescent lights
mother breathing ~ child’s head crowned
silent moments, body held, gasp of air
cries of joy, as her baby enters the world
the trip to hospital so far away
traffic bad, anxious, panting, blowing air
can’t wait, it’s now, it’s coming now
the car not quite a manger but ~ matters how?
toiling hard under summer sun
no doctors on this round
she squats and helps deliver
her new son upon the ground
by an empty lane alone she grabs
her tummy, pain is real, she’s scared
she’s young, as water pools around her feet
crouches screaming till her baby breathes
so with every breath you take
try not to use it too complain
for breath AS LIFE ~ A PRECIOUS thing
a commodity we shouldn’t waste
©jmtacken October 3 2013
That’s pretty powerful. Brilliantly written
Thank you so much Al.
You’re welcome :-)
I really enjoyed this one, Jen. So clever in the presentation of your words, and the meaning is so deep. We really shouldn’t take this breathing for granted, should we? It’s pretty amazing to be alive.
Thanks so much Beck for your lovely words. No we shouldn’t at all and to waste it on petty grievances and the like… really?? :-) xxx
i love this one and it gave me chills.
Thank you Beth – the thoughts that pop into my head at times.. I swear… :-) xx
That is truly amazing , I was moved to tears.
Willow – thank you so much, sorry for the tears, pleased that it moved you. :-)
It certainly did
There’s a lot to be said for not wasting your breath isn’t there. This piece RM will generate conversation as you raise matters of importance to us all.
Perhaps Summers, indeed it is worth thinking about. Too often we ‘waste’ our breath with complaining (me included)! Thank you :-)
Never take for granted our health? Never take for granted we breath?
WOW..I am getting these. You are a good teacher…truly you are..
And you can write Mrs…oh yeah… lol
The meaning, the purpose, the feel, the beauty, the sensation, the thrill of the ride…
I am getting there….I see it slowly…
Shaun x
Oh my goodness (quoting a very old Shirley Temple movie) or perhaps by George I think he’s got it! Pfft I don’t know about being a good teacher, but I thank you for the compliment – see it’s not that hard..is it? Thank you my friend :-)
:D My pleasure…Was good..
:-)
x
some wisdom here…there are people dying every second we waste…dont waste a single one…cause you never know when it might be your second…
exactly Brian and if only recognises the fact …my job is done – thank you for reading my friend :-)
Very Very direct descriptive pose Mumsy love Breath a lot ….. shows your inner light of concern and empathy :-) xxxx Max
thank you Max – possibly I was thinking about my new role when I wrote it..not sure where it came from, but love you for your kind words :-) xxxx