16 toward the Omer

A pause as compassion
        starts its journey toward you
                Billows expand then contract
                        It leaps upward,

reaches hands forward, diving
        between the reefs of vocal chords
                where it gets trapped
                        and thrashes

Its struggles set the mucous membrane
        into nervous flutters
                that lend shape
                to its dying
                        breath

Lame and faint
        the breath releases itself
                through dry parted lips
                        “I’m sorry
                        to hear that”