the everyday and common divinity of breath

i am hit
in the back of the head
as i walk.
i do not expect it
as i could not hear
what was coming up
behind me.

i am hit
by a car
as i walk along
traffic. into traffic.
i do not know
of the car that hit me
as i could not hear it.

i have a brand-name fleece
with the name of my
company organization non-profit consortium
embroidered on the sleeve.
i walk gingerly, carefully,
with my cup filled to the rim
with coffee.
i put shining objects
into my ears.
i put shiny objects
onto the hand of that
who i wish to occupy.
i am struck down
and flown up.
my shoes leave wet prints.
my body is outlined against
a litany of forms, shapes,
entities.

nine years staring
at a wall.
nine years staring
at a wall
so as to hear.

a throb of being,
its brief occupancy.