breathe
like you mean it
consider
the catch in your throat
the swell of
the abdomen, the na a sal
pa a SAGACHOO – – –
damn it.
you’ve sneezed. already.
consider
the… whistle, the er
snuffle, of
(allergies, you know)
focus
on the breath.
(your dog is whimpering outside;
the microwave hums)
inhale, a
sloww exhaalaation 1 2 3 4
(your mother is eating, chewing carrots
in the room next door –
what was that she told you,
about not smacking your lips?)