Between Each Breath

It’s International Self-Care day, and the best way to mark it is with a tribute to ourselves.

Because when we put ourselves first, we avoid putting others last.

🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶

Trudging home, feet walked and worn,

The fractured hum of traffic,

Chirps of birds–

A question lingers–

Did her feet sleep today?

Or merely stop

Between one to do

And the next?

🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶

A twinge in her shoulder, with dry lips

She tilts her jug–

Not a drop to drink.

When did her compact last show–

Show black and blue bags that weighed?

🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶

Her feet slow–

No path to turn.

The wind lifts her hair

In quiet reprieve.

A shop window reflects–

HERSELF.

🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶

No reset.

No solution.

Just a drop.

A tune–perhaps.

Sleep– deserved.

Perhaps nothing.

But her.

🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶

A bird flits across her path.

A smile stretches–

Really reaches

The other side.

🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶

No answers

For her feet–

But she draws her first breath.

At least today.

🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶

She takes small steps.

Forward.

🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶 Between Breaths 🪶🪶🪶