When conspiracies and accusations formulate in words on your tongue,
don’t forget to breathe.
When the children grow farther and farther away and you watch and weep as they start to go,
don’t forget to breathe.
When the horse senses your spook and send kicks and bucks, regain your balance and
don’t forget to breathe.
When airplanes fly overhead and you cease your discussion as they are listening in,
don’t forget to breathe.
When the calls of conversation bring forth the demons in your mind
don’t forget to breathe.
When you lay awake unsure of reality,
don’t forget to breathe.
When steak knives reside in closets, under car seats, and in the bathtub with you
don’t forget to breathe.
When the ultimate walk of shame out the front door with that officer arises,
don’t forget to breathe.
When the last child deviates from your motherly spell,
don’t forget to breathe.
When you find a familiar face in that institution and she has third degree burns among her bosom,
don’t forget to breathe.
When you live in a Hell with the ones that you love fighting the demons inside you,
don’t forget to breathe.
When you grow weary, aged, and alone so you tie a noose around your neck,
don’t forget to breathe.

Leslie Dunn (c)