Barely Breathing Poem by J. James Martinez

In the early morning hours
Through the silence and sleep
We spoke

In the green lush
Or the sun bleached weed and leaf lawns
We had our missteps

In the echo filled empty rooms
And
Bustling chatter filled crowds
We found ourselves

In the days of youth
We'd move unknowingly
Without recourse
We'd move instinctively
With all taken for granted
We'd simplify situations selfishly
Disregarding ramifications and relations

We accepted all and any
Every
Without caution
Without appreciation

We'd boast about our mistakes
And being the few left breathing

Sometimes we still puff out our chest
Though only

Barely breathing