The air clings to my lungs
Sticky and burdened with grief
Displeasing, shallow gasps where once there was so much life
Once there was laughter.
Once there was happiness
The sweetness of it all now turned bitter and black
The weight sits on my chest
With a pressure
Confining
Unnerving

And yet I breathe
And with each breath clearing the scattered soot
I can see a new horizon
Its golden light peaking from behind the choking pall
And I remind myself:
Let it go.
That was not happiness.
Let go of what you thought was happiness.
It was never real.

It was a dispersion of roses now wilting in the sun
Uncovering the green, vibrant life underneath
Still growing
Reaching for the warmth
Spreading like wildfire
The Truth of Self
Now free
I breathe