OPPONENT
Every breath now
holds a different weight
heavy and holding back
Schedules and plans
parties and possibilities
all on indefinite pause
Breathing is
more sacred
more scared
even scarred
because of an unknown
and uncertain opponent
But this opponent
that takes away breath
closes doors and disrupts dreams
may be an instructor
an uninvited guide
To realign
reassess
reimagine
what every breath is for
Jared Ray Mackey