BREATH

**********

Breath

A misty phenomenon

That provides

A medium of expression

Of our thoughts and sensibilities

With greatest immediacy

And proof that the Universe

Allows our existence.

The inward rush

Traverses down the maze of deep within

To trade the secret commerce

The very elements of life.

Then the choice is present

Of configuring its shape

To alter the space between humans

As the rounded from the words of love

Of the choking wet of sorrow

Or laughed aloud with open fears

As howling, baying rage of pain

or rusty blades of cutting cords

Battered through in anger.

The alternative is

Not to impede the flow of turbulence

Permitting passage with impunity

Sending not a trace

Of the thought that was its twin

And now remains

To alter the space of mind.

Omitting the enigma of sleep

These are your choices

Until yours very

Last breath.

 

Chromosome

***************

The charm held in a dimpled smile

The form of nose and thrust of chin

The shape of hue of human eyes

The lanky stride of sturdy limbs

The strand of hair that floats like silk

On a bearing straight and regal

The rosy blush on a dusky skin

The outward grab of supple skin

The waving hand that volumes speaks

With a voice for every self distinct

From our chambered hearts that numbered beat

To the wrinkled temple of the brain.

All these traits must trace their roots

To the fertile egg where we began

From coiled perfection deep within

That six and forty cryptic lie

Like poems poised, awaiting

Their transcription as a lifetime.