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.