HOW I BREATHE by Celeste Monette Blair
Every once in a while
my breath is shallow,
my heart is heavy
my eyes are wet.
I’m aware of what brings this on
but there’s no way
I would avoid these tears
they come with each
heartfelt letter
to my mother & my dear brother
So I breathe
through the emotions
I breathe through;
my mind wondering why it was meant
for me to be away
for so very long.
For as long as I can remember
I’ve been taught to breathe
THROUGH THE PAIN
I’ve been unstoppable; fearless
I’ve always known
I could do anything
breathing my way THROUGH
In gymnastics, ballet,
CrossFit, underwater diving
making my way back up to the surface
diving off a cliff
even in sex
but this, this 30-year sentence
can I simply breathe my way
through this?
Here is how I breathe each day;
counting my blessings
focusing on those blessings
and all
the abundant possibilities
that each day brings
When I look around me
instead of focusing on
who I don’t see
my precious family
I see all of these women
who are part of the same
big world
as me.
I open up my heart the them.
Sometimes, I help them to breathe.
Celebrate with me that I stayed focused and did my best to stay the course, keeping my actions in line with my goals and in the end, I was able to earn my freedom after 15 years.
By focus today is on remaining grounded and grateful while I fight for my FSA and SCA, along with so many others here in the BOP.
