How To Come Back - A Poem

How to come back feet on the ground,

A long spine,

Feeling your breath as it moves in and out.

Noticing the sticky places inside and outside,

Like sap sticking to your shirt sleeves or fleece after a cold day's hike,

Brushing it off,

Sweeping it out.

If it's not yours,

You're not obligated to keep it.

You can see it,

Notice it,

But don't take it in.

You don't need to give it a home just because it's out in the cold.

Exhale fully,

Deeply,

Let a sigh ride out.

Doesn't matter what it sounds like.

It matters how it feels and come back over and over.

As many times as it takes as the world keeps shaking your breath,

Your body,

Your exhale,

Return,

Return,

Return.