I remember once

A story about magic and friendship

Love and loss

In the story they told me

How in a land long ago

The earth could breathe

Could speak to you if only you paid attention

If only you knew how to listen

I know that stories are just stories

But sometimes I find myself believing it

When the numbers get under my skin

When my blood turns into ones and zeroes

When it feels like there’s nothing left of me except for

The readings I have to do

The assignments waiting to be done

I feel like I’m drowning

I go outside

I stand barefoot in the grass

I feel the sun on my arms, on my hair

And I breathe

And sometimes I feel the earth breathe with me

Quiet understanding

“Yes you are here”

“You are alive”