a heart expanded

there is death in the exhale,
the slow movement of the body toward its end,
a moment encapsulated in a breath,
gifted to the world as a sign of life lived,

i breathe in your scent,
and savor its course through my past,
down the slow curves of tree-lined country roads,
turning the corners of my youth,
in scuffling shoes on gymnasium floors,
with paper words and postmarked prayer,

and i exhale,

i drink your lips at last,
and taste the freshness of the present,
of foods spiced with sweetened spirits,
and laughter lifting burdened souls,
with clasped hands i lock time into the palm,
and with it the vision of myself through your eyes,

and i exhale,

i see within me walls built for crumbling,
fortified fears defending the warriors wounded,
from senseless battles fought within my heart,
their wearied eyes tell me that there is still hope,
for a future framed by moments passed,
its a knowing that only nostalgia can bring,

and i exhale,
and i breathe,
and i exhale,
and i breathe you in again,