Kissing Me Back Into Breathing Poem by Louise Tredoux

I warned Rudi jogging is something I can’t
do, when I’m out of breath I wheeze like a
lady of eighty, he reasonably said just try it,
I feared embarrassment

Jogging with Rudi, dewy fresh morning moments,
starting to suffer with every breath burning and
scratchy throat, starting to wheeze -
vocal cords singing out

Rudi recommending breathing with mouth wide
open, three in, three out, my eyes watering, my
nose burning, wheezing increasing, oh no, I’ll
never go jogging again

Suddenly throat clogging up, I can’t breathe at
all, Rudi shocked, a visit to the hospital, an
oxygen mask, my throat swollen in reaction
to pollen and dust

I’m crying in shame, I won’t try again, Rudi
sympathetic at first, then laughing – You need
not do anything, Louise, just be mine, wheezing
and all - kissing me back into

Breathing again…