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Take a Breath: A Poem on Slowing Down
A list poem on slowing down and paying attention — small acts of care written as instructions for the days when life moves faster than we can notice.
This one’s a list disguised as a poem. Or a poem disguised as a list. It started as a note to myself on a day when the speed of everything had outpaced the noticing.
Take a breath, and exhale
That’s how quickly people come and go
Shoot a text, while you drive
See how fast your life can change
Go to sleep, when you’re restless
The next day never seems to come
Say you’re sorry, call your friend
You may never see them again
Tell your folks, how much you care
You only get so much time with them
Fall in love, take a chance
That’s all we really want in life
Most of the things worth doing aren’t complicated. They’re just the things we keep planning to do next time. The poem is a small argument that next time isn’t promised. Most of what’s left to do is small, available, and right now.
— JTC