The first breath of a newborn
is relief in the ears of a father
to a mother, a new life form
counting all fingers and toes
each hair, follicle, skin fold
immersed in the scent
of a new baby born
the last breath yet to mourn
knowing life is a cycle
to appreciate life
death must be life’s norm
one breath exhaled death
in a breath, inhaled life
because death is part of life