Breath’s Breadth

When I was younger, before my daughters,

From many cups I literally sipped,

Figuratively testing thought’s waters

With my big toe, claiming I fully dipped.

Years later, this facile habit of mind,

Ignoring complexities inherent

In any topic, not at all inclined

To plum their depths, thinking thoughts coherent

Changed due to changes I no longer fought,

The alternative to not, being death, 

Of body, spirit, all that has been taught,

Inspired in me the import of breath,

In thinking of thinking’s will or its want,

No longer its dangerous dilettante.

8/24/2020