Coming up for air

What's alive in you today?

Rebirth via jessicajorgensenart.com

I sat down recently to have a consultation with an anesthesiologist. She reminded me of an old friend so in a way, it feels like I am in extra-good hands with her. My biggest worry was how long I would be unconscious for surgery…6, 8, 10 hours? My mind is whirling in anticipation, but I’m sure it was an even number, and somewhere around a full day of work.

I shared my one and only question: “I worry how long I will be under anesthesia since I’ve never been down for this long before. Will it be different than the other times?”

“It will seem like no time at all to you, I promise!” she answered cheerfully, without hesitation. Of course it won’t feel any longer than the other times!

Every time I have faced turning my body over to doctors and the marvels of modern medicine, I remind myself: They’ve trained their whole life for this moment. I am in awe of my body’s strength, resilience, and innate intelligence. Maybe that’s why it continues to be one of my favorite subjects for poetry. Here’s one for today, in honor of my lungs and with a prayer for the doctors I am turning them over to this morning at the time this will be published. See you on the other side 🙏

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the lung poem

in my lungs lives 
residue of incense mixed
with morning dew
hints  of singe 

from campfires gone awry 
throat raw from late night laughs
and chats
 
in my lungs lives
remnants of horse dander, 
hay, weathered leather 
echos of all the
i love yous 
lingering

notes from your cologne, which,
on second thought
i’m glad you overdo it
your essence keeping me
company when i’m home
alone

in my lungs lives
pranayam with the power 
 to leave me overwrought  
yoga yet to be taught
battles yet to be fought

i know why the ribs form a cage
to      contain     me
one breath to the next 
sticky cobwebs of a pained 
past stuck  up high 
in shadowed corners 

clear, now
sublime grace
opens the door to
newfound space
in the in between place
of my heart 

and my lungs
when my heart swells,
my words get caught / 
waiting to emerge, 
my own sweet love song

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Special thanks to

Corie Feiner

for helping this one come to life in the Bodylove workshop! ❤️

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