The Irrecoverable Breath

The irrecoverable
Gulp of air, exhalation—
Who thinks of it as deep past?

You have all your things to do,
All your important causes,
Obligations, convictions,

And quotidian concerns.
It’s hard to notice breathing
Keeps sealing its own entrance.

Challenged by authority,
Your each breath is done with it.
Thinking of what to do next,

Your each breath is done with it.
As you grieve, ache, or quarrel,
Your breaths are done with themselves

And can’t be undone. Final
As yesterday, more final
Than history, every breath.