The Cost of a Breath

The Price of Staying 

Sometimes 

I just watch you 

breathe 

slowly 

in and out 

I thought 

I’d get to do that 

forever 

well, not forever 

but without a timer 

Sometimes 

I listen to you 

breathing—

It’s a great comfort 

for me 

to hear that rhythm  

I’m scared 

I hate admitting that 

Every breath 

feels borrowed now 

So, I will count them 

not to measure loss 

but to honor 

the price of staying 

I will count 

each breath 

as a blessing—

a currency 

I never knew 

I was spending 

I don’t know 

how many 

we have left 

This is why 

I look 

and I listen 

when you grow quiet 

You say I am your heart 

You are mine 

I live more fully 

through every breath 

I am grateful 

for each one 

My love 

My heart 

© Ron Simpson Jr. 

June 25, 2026