Struggling
lungs struggle
to pull in air
filled
with smoke
and pollen
that scrape
the throat
on the way in
and exhale
with sneezes
and
soggy snuffles
Gideon’s Challenge – Struggling
photography
Gideon’s Challenge – The Calling
The Calling
if temperatures
would drop
and smoke
would clear
the cedars
stand tall
and call out
for a visit
that creates
an echoing
ache
of need
within the soul
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Needy
Needy
pay attention
to me
and the need
that blazes hot
in my chest
creating
a searing ache
at my center
where
the soul lives
that seeks
the comfort
of your touch
promising
that everything
will be okay
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Released
Released
a breath taken
and anxiety
eases
as reality
reasserts itself
once more
and the end
of the world
isn’t at hand
after all
for the panic
made everything
far more dire
than reality
revealed
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Overwhelmed
Overwhelmed
a moment of pause
needed
for the mind to rest
and worries
to ease
as anxiety tries
to make fissures
in my calm
and silence
in noticing the
smallest of things
can help in finding
my footing
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Seeking Peace
Seeking Peace
if I slip beneath
the surface
don’t worry
that it’s too cold
or that I float
still and lifeless
in the limbo
of water’s hold
for I’m just
pretending
the reaper
has come to
say hello
and revisiting
a moment
of peace
remembered
and then let go
Twisting the Leaf 