Breathe

~Melinda Williams

In the morning
breathe deeply of the Spirit
inhaling the scent of life
filling every cell with light
opening the soul to God.
At night
breathe the Spirit deep again.
Let the silence of enduring peace
settle into every space within.
And between the morn and night
breathe again and again,
deeply and often.
No quick, shallow half-breaths
reflecting shallow life,
letting it blow out in pallid puffs that barely return
any measure of hope

Instead,
breathe deeply
and inflate the lungs with life-
slow and satisfying
diaphram lifting
chest expanding
ribs filling
and in that moment,
creating clarity
recognizing God
inhaling spirit.
And then
breathe it back
into the world
where it will continue to live
and breathe
and touch the deepest caverns
with peace.