BREATHE

i have forgotten the science
of how it was
that you were breathing
in an ancient way
on the inside of me

and later
on the outside of me
your breath
between deep cries
so sweet and new and easy

you are
quiet and apart
a kept secret
divided from me

the fact of your breath
more than half my own doing

i claim it
still
born
of my body
you were
borne
in my arms

in the night
my own breath
will be waiting
deep inside

i
need
to
hear
you

breathe