Breathe Deep

Lake MI Feb 2026

Breathe Deep

One becomes many,
building, pausing;
alone again, praying,
falling, melancholy,
subdued, sustained.

Incremental light
conversations of what
hope might look like.

Warmth spreads, grows,
turning eyes skyward.
There! Daybreak!

Tears stream each cheek,
air perfumed
with roses and birdsong.
Breathe deep.

Kim is today’s host for dVerse’ Poetics Tuesday. Kim says:
Now listen to ‘Adagio for Strings’ conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and played by the Wiener Philharmoniker.

Your challenge:
Write a poem that does one of the following:
1. Expresses your thoughts and feelings on listening to this piece of music.
2. Describes the music in words.
3. Explores the music through imaginative imagery or storytelling.

10 Comments Add yours

  1. Dora's avatar Dora says:

    I love the fall and rise of breath and light, mimicking the fall and rise in Barber’s music, Li. And especially each infusion of hope, that radiant, “There! Daybreak!” after a long night.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      :) Happy always for your feedback, Dora. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. kim881's avatar kim881 says:

    Ah, you’ve captured the feeling I get when I listen to ‘Adagio for Strings’, Lisa – it makes me breathe deeply every time. I love these lines especially:

    ‘One becomes many,
    building, pausing;
    alone again, praying,
    falling, melancholy,
    subdued, sustained.’

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      <3 Kim that's my favorite part of it also. Thank you.

      Like

  3. Aptivi's avatar Aptivi says:

    That’s very poignant, Lisa 👍

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Yasan, thank you <3

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Aptivi's avatar Aptivi says:

        You’re welcome, Lisa. 💜 Have a great day ahead. ☺️

        Like

  4. I can imagine the heart swelling through this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      :) <3 Thanks, Ken. The music is a little too subdued for my taste, but it gets to me at the end.

      Like

Your thoughts matter.