Breathing
Exercises
By Bronte Heron
A series of lines appear
in sequence
between two figures
arranging the breath
as risk:
uncovered / uncovered
uncovered / covered
covered / covered
They are facing each other
in an enclosed space,
a supermarket or a train.
Their breath reflects
off the surfaces they use
to contain their individual bodies.
It takes on the colours of alert:
yellow, if they are far apart;
red, if they are close.
It moves quickly
because they are afraid
their safety will be breached.
The lines are aimed like arrows
towards their weaknesses
and are released
with every expiration.
Bronte is a poet and library assistant currently living in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa.