The Distance

The Distance

The distance between breaths
Is measured in time
A measure of time so small
Metered in mere seconds
So, the distance is almost nonexistent

We breathe automatically
Without even thinking
Pull air in
Push air out
From first breathe to last

The distance between breaths
Only changes
With excitement or fear
Or possibly when a sigh occurs
Breaths caused by the exhale and inhale of air

Do I choose to breathe or not to breathe?
That is the question
And the answer is NO
So, I breathe – breathe in, breathe out
Into the short distance between breaths

The distance between breaths
Is all that separates us
From life and death
An almost imperceptible distance
A breath occurs only ever few seconds

One thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three
Until the breaths stop
The distance falls in the gap
That pause between here and eternity
A space only reachable between breaths

The brevity of the distance
Somehow comforts me
Reassures me as I gaze
At the almost imperceptible distance
Reassures me of your closeness

You are just over there
The very shortest of distances
Separated by an inhale and an exhale
I lean into the close, very close distance
And feel the exhale of your breath on my face

Feel your warm breath on my face
And savor the smell of you
Feel the closeness of you
Your breath passes my face
I am comforted