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.

32 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.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. kim881's avatar kim881 says:

        You’re most welcome, Lisa.

        Liked by 1 person

  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. ☺️

        Liked by 1 person

  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

  5. sanaarizvi's avatar sanaarizvi says:

    This is sheer poetic brilliance, Lisa. I felt every word! ❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Sanaa thank you, my friend. <3

      Like

  6. Very raw and visceral in your delivery, I like how you intrepreted the song with your poem! 🎼

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Cara, happy you do. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. poetisatinta's avatar poetisatinta says:

    Lisa this captures a poignant, meditative piece of resilience moving from isolated, melancholy into a quiet, sensory awakening – so good 🙌

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Ange, thank you for following my journey through the music <3

      Like

  8. memadtwo's avatar memadtwo says:

    The ebb and flow of emotions (and music) put into words. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

  9. That transition from melancholy and isolation into the radiant burst of ‘There! Daybreak!’ mimics the crescendo of Barber’s Adagio so masterfully, Lisa! You translates the movement of sound into light and breath so beautifully. Lovely piece! 🎼✨

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Thanks so much, OM. I also like to think there is at least one other person present who hears the exclamation.

      Like

  10. jaerose37's avatar jaerose37 says:

    I love how every word counts in this poem – less is definitely more – Jae

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Jae, ::muah:: Thank you.

      Like

  11. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

    Li, this is so beautifully written my friend. Very moving

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Sadje, many thanks <3

      Like

  12. judeitakali's avatar judeitakali says:

    A poem that breathes with you

    Liked by 1 person

  13. M Jay Dixit's avatar M Jay Dixit says:

    This beautifully complements the music.

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Jay, it was a tough prompt, so thank you for saying so.

      Like

  14. lynn__'s avatar lynn__ says:

    Beautifully expressive, Lisa…it breathes with the music and is inspired by it: “Incremental light conversations of what hope might look like.”

    Like

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