“Do not be afraid.”

I hear these words

In the center of

My fluttering chest.

Panting, I strive

To focus on my breath,

Knowing in this moment,

I can achieve a slowing of

The waves of feelings

That break across

My conflicted mind.

With each breath I take,

I wonder, who it is

That speaks to me within?

Is it you, who teaches me

I can control my breath;

Or is it God who comes,

To remind me that

I do not need to be

Alone again;

Or is it my awareness

Of a growing sense of

Who I am now,

This moment,

A  bedrock of strength

That strives within to do,                           

What I cannot do alone?

Perhaps for now,

It is enough to know,

This growing sense of

A new resilient Self

Is working together

With you, and  God

To do what was

So difficult before.

Yu/stan/kema