pneumo
…the presence of air

every parent listens for it
   tip-toeing into silent room
      to watch the rise and fall
the chest of sleeping child
…a quiet, perfect
      angelic form.

aeolian movement
   within aveoli
      from the moment of birth
air becomes gold
   by the tiny cry of life
for breath is sacred
   and the veil is thin

children laugh
lovers whisper
the grieving weep
we have voice as
breath goes in
breath goes out
a sacred respiration
   oh, the veil is thin

flute is played
   and breath is drawn
clarinet, bassoon,
trombone
      all infused with breath

but when breath is gone
   and trumpet sounds
we wait
   …and wait
      …for breath again
but the veil is thin
and breath is sacred

breath goes in

…breath goes out

   breath goes in

   …breath goes out

      breath goes in

      ……breath goes out

pneuma
…the spirit, the soul