Round cushion
The same one with an imprint --
two round halves, left and right.
Sit with legs crossed
Eyes closed without sleep.

Breath in, breath out.

Face still and unwrinkled
Left palm on top of right.
Palo santo smoke whirling in the background.

Thoughts start to arrive
Small black-and-white picture movies
yelling to be seen
To be assessed, 
To be analyzed.
A task.
A memory.
An assumption.
A what could have possibly been.
I judge.

Like a kite on a string
Or a thought melting into smoke,
I let it go
Let it dissipate into nothingness.
Curiosity.

Breath in, breath out.
Breathe in, breathe out.

I am here. Now.

A nudge on my hand
wet nose buried in my fingers.
Dog.

Incessant licks tickle,
almost breaking the silence.

Breath in, breath out.
Center.

Heavy paws on my chest,
twenty pounds leaning in for attention.

Corners of mouth curl upward.
Love.

Motion ceases,
a sigh of futility.

Breath in, breath out.

Distraction averted.

No, distraction welcomed. ❤