A part of me

A part of me shattered 

A million tiny shards of hope dispersing 

A part of me fell to the ground 

And could not get up again 

A part of me raged 

A raw unending scream 

A part of me stood numb 

Disbelieving, holding my breath 

Completely still 

Mercifully

Body took charge 

Oh wise and tender thing

Breathed in 

Breathed out 

Shakily at first

In 

Out 

Over and over 

More steadily now

One breath 

Then another 

Breathing uninterrupted

Continued…..

Gathering all the broken parts 

And bringing them along too

Saying “gently now, gently

Patience now

Miracles will come”

Photograph by Emma Harris, Stourhead 2024