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