Lungs

I learned a magic trick:

Pull some air into your chest

push it back out twice

slowly and strongly

with a straight spine

and the tips of your lips

skyward

Inhale again

filling your lungs to the (inhale inhale) brim

push it down 

until you breathe out

the top of your

head.

Feel your breath swirl

between the cells of your skin

down the length of your arms

and the strength of your legs

call it up from your thighs

Into your chest

Let the exhale do the rest.

Breathe in from your crown

and let it fall out your mouth

carefully caressed like a lover’s kiss

as he leaves through the doorway

your hand on his shoulder 

his bicep

his wrist

...

only fingers now.

Then let go

and you’ll see

there’s only air

between you and

me.