To Mom

By Diane McManus

We are but a breath
away from death,
but catch your breath,
inhale deep and hold
in that morsel of sweet
air all the taste your mouth
can embrace, and your life enfolds
the universe.

Let your heart race with the bold
power of Niagra-
strength rapids
coursing through time itself, reaching
an ocean where all
our stories merger and live.

All the air
in a single breath
fills the world with words and word-
less sighs,
laughs, cries,
touches everything.

And life begins again.