As we settle into our seat
all of our life comes down with us,
like an extended slinky
retracting into a single cylinder

Back you snap
into this body and breath
where each day is born and done
familiar in this cushion
familiar in this ache.

Silence comes quick and
wraps us up together
claiming all of our wounds as one,
fighting back all that could
seduce us to stand
and walk away.

Silence is bigger than the wiggling chairs,
calling birds, and unsatisfied child.
Within this pulsing hum
our soft face is recognized:
held close, held here,
held together.