Between a breath and a wound

I am caught

between a breath and a wound

both showing me

I am alive

 in different ways 

 

I breathe in

I bleed out

 

I take gulps of air

to fill myself with

the reminder that I am

not suffocating

and that I am

always able

to find another taste

of fresh air

 

and while I am

focusing on the wings

within my lungs

the cycle of the heart

strings me along

draining me

away in arteries

full of oxygen

of that same fresh air

thinning it out through travel

and time, before

the bright red becomes dark

and what's left

fuels the heart in veins

to pump, and

pump

more into the stream

 

but I want to be screaming

screaming from the pits of my air pockets

as my lungs long for new life

inside of them, pleading

for a permanent flight of their own

away from the stains of the ever-stolen heart

and its wasting-oxygen ways

 

I want to be

watching the red run

like snakes down the stream

as I walk upriver

to wash away wounds of the past

 

I want to 

be the bird

that flies north one winter

to cover the fallen hearts of autumn

with snow, to wait for spring

to spring up and to feel summer

change feathers with the heat of a new heart

Reviews

[Southern Cross]

Beautiful imagery and such raw emotions. I can so identify with your thoughts. The title was well chosen. Eager to read more of your work.

[Relic]

You've written such a detailed picture of a wounded heart right down to its blood flow.
The metaphor of 'wings' within the heart is appropriate and creative. My immediate thoughts are of one who has been more than wounded and is reeling from the internal and emotional assault. But there is also the recognition of the same strain in others and the desire to heal them as well.

Good writing that is deep and emotional.

[lee von cleef]

Breath and a wound, great! the red run, like snakes down the stream, as i walk up river,to wash away wounds (of the past.) my wounds. Of the past is ok I don't think you need it.Then add I want to be the bird after snow( again) I think I've confused you enough.
Smile cleef

[Kathleen Allen]

Wonderful! I love this poem, it's emotional and raw, but there's also something quirky about it that I just adore.

Great job!

[Mr. Lou]

Fantastico! (holding my hands like an italian). great desription of emotion and body.