This morning I sat
Beneath the stars
Almost naked
Winter
Cold
Very Cold
Surrounded by molecules of hot hydrogen and oxygen
Keeping me breathing
In the Very Cold
Wondering as I breathe
About that which gives me breath
Then I wonder about some of those who also breathe
The angry breathers
Why are they angry
I only wonder
Billions of naked breathers wonder
Some conclude and get angry at those who wonder
Billions of naked breathers
Some wonder
Some angry
Some fear
Why do they fear
Why do I fear
I only wonder
© Ruby Neumann
Poet's Note (Written December 15, 2021)
Sitting in my hot tub this morning in an almost -30 temperature, I wondered. And in my wondering I felt the judgement of others on me as the "molecules of hot hydrogen and oxygen" moved around me. I felt their anger and their fear at nothing but my wondering. Then I found my fear. I don't need them to condemn me… I have condemned myself. I did what I feared they would do, before they could do it.
I entitled this poem, Naked Breathers. In the grand picture, maybe that is all we all are… Naked and only surrounded by that which keeps us breathing in the space we have been given.
Maybe I was angry and fearful once at other Naked Breathers, but it didn't serve me well. It didn't allow me to breathe. So I let go of my anger and my fear of how other breathers breathe. But now I still find a residue of fear in me. Fear that others will still be angry with me because I wonder.
I long to get go of that fear and continue to wonder.
