Gifting the Air<\/p>\n
By<\/p>\n
Jennifer Angelina Petro<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Everyone knows<\/p>\n
We carry air in our bodies,<\/p>\n
We know, and occasionally,<\/p>\n
Sense it flowing through us,<\/p>\n
How it enlivens us<\/p>\n
When we focus it into our every cell.<\/p>\n
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And it does so without effort,<\/p>\n
Without being invasive,<\/p>\n
Without expecting anything<\/p>\n
In return.<\/p>\n
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Today, let\u2019s try this:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s send out our every word<\/p>\n
Upon, within, the air<\/p>\n
As gifts\u2014touch the air<\/p>\n
With kind words, caress<\/p>\n
The evening air with reminiscences<\/p>\n
On front porches and strolls<\/p>\n
Through the neighborhoods,<\/p>\n
Fill the morning air<\/p>\n
With prayers and Broadway tunes,<\/p>\n
Inspire the night air with dreams<\/p>\n
And comforting words of reassurance—knowing<\/p>\n
We do all these things<\/p>\n
By the power of the air.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We all know what happens<\/p>\n
When it lifts from us<\/p>\n
One last time and searches out<\/p>\n
A newborn swallowing<\/p>\n
Its first bubble of outside life.<\/p>\n
Let us return the grace\u2014<\/p>\n
Let us gift the air with words,<\/p>\n
And thoughts that dance<\/p>\n
In its heart, let us gift the air<\/p>\n
With songs that create joy<\/p>\n
In the movements of the wind,<\/p>\n
Let us fill our every breath<\/p>\n
With mercy, compassion,<\/p>\n
And a radical empathy<\/p>\n
That unfolds across the world<\/p>\n
Into other lands, other lungs, other hearts,<\/p>\n
Other minds\u2014let us gift the air<\/p>\n
With praise.<\/p>\n
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