Breathe.
From our first cry,
to the last gasp,
we are but breath upon a mirror
Frail and ephemeral,
a thin layer upon the world
Our reflection both hazy and distorted
Yet,
we know what lies beneath
is our own
To perceive this truth,
we only need to cleanse the glass
Clear the fog,
and see
in complacency,
that which is ours
Keep moving forward,
have a closer look
Is this the best we can be,
do we really like who we are
We can exhale on the mirror,
and hide from the truth
Or,
view reality
emerge from the shadows
Breathe deeply,
give all that we have to give
Fill our lungs,
like the first breath,
live life to our last gasp
In the full knowledge
that
we are living the best lives that we can.
PJ. © 2019
“Breathe” is a profound reflection on the ephemeral nature of life and our place in the world. The poem uses the metaphor of breath on a mirror to illustrate how fleeting and fragile our existence is. It encourages us to look beyond the surface, to clear away the fog of complacency, and to truly see ourselves for who we are. The poem challenges us to move forward, to examine our lives closely, and to make the most of every breath we take.
The final stanza is a powerful call to action, urging us to live fully and deeply, embracing life from our first breath to our last. It reminds us that we have the power to shape our lives and that we should strive to live in a way that we can be proud of, knowing we’ve given our all.
“Breathe” is part of Peter J. Watson’s collection “Poems from the Darkside.” This book is a deeply personal journey through grief, loss, and the process of rebuilding one’s life. Watson wrote these poems following the death of his wife, using his craft to navigate the complex emotions of bereavement and to find a path forward.
If you’ve ever grappled with loss or found yourself searching for meaning in difficult times, this collection might resonate with you. Watson’s raw honesty and emotional depth offer a comforting companionship to those walking similar paths. Why not explore more of his powerful words and perhaps find some solace or inspiration in his journey?
Explore ‘Poems from the Darkside’ on Amazon
