Breathing

Heather Carnaghan

You are the negative space
in every picture,
absent, 
black and empty
against the bright whites
of their toothy grins
and colorful vitality.

You are the quiet reflection
in the rogue moments
between my meticulous words,
the sharp intake of air
after pregnant pauses 
and faraway stares.

You are the deliberation
behind each breath
as I dubiously opt
to go on breathing. ​