Three deep breaths
As the planet’s lungs turn charcoal black
Another one
As a parakeet flies and the smoke fills its eyes
Its wings get tangled in the branches of the last standing tree
But not for long
I keep breathing
The parakeet doesn’t
Two deep breaths
As our invisible enemy creeps into our homes
Holds us hostage, as emergency rooms overflow
My mask makes it hard to take a deep breath
I take a shallow one
It’ll do for now
The wind blows on the other side of the ocean
“I can’t breathe” were his last words
We’re all running out of breath