I Don't Mean to Hold My Breath

I don’t mean to hold my breath, but I hold on to this one like it is the last sweet taste of honey on my tongue. I want it to last as long as possible. I know another deep breath will follow my exhale, but I hold on to this one like I can’t count on the certainty of the next one. It’s not panic. It’s muscle memory. 

Five years ago today, I couldn’t breat…