The flame.

The flame.

Oxygen fans flames
to keep them alive
like souls in bodies.

Breathing in –
inhaling,
dragging, drawing,
sometimes panting,
or even gasping –
to stay alive.

Then the inevitable
exhale.
The contraction of the lungs.
Release.
Relief.
Then expanding once more –
to stay alive.

Fanning the flame of the human spirit.
First the initial spark.
Then brightening,
glowing,
flickering,
dimming than bursting.
Oxygen flowing in and out –
to stay alive.