Reclining Hero

 



Reclining Hero

 



Kneel and sit between your heels, lie back.                                  

Press your shinbones down to tuck your tailbone.

Stretch your arms behind your head. Relax.

Even heroes must take time to rest.

Feel each breath expand… release

the inner chambers of your chest and belly.

Reclining in this pose stretches your abdomen,

eases digestion, soothes menstrual cramps.

 

Breathe awareness into every cell.

Say hello to all the microbes living

in the winding caverns of your gut.

Thank them for all they do to keep you going,

for how they ward off illness, break down food,

contribute to your deepest sense of knowing.

  

 

John Whitney Steele

 

John Whitney Steele, a psychologist, yoga teacher, and assistant editor of Think: A Journal of Poetry, Fiction and Essays, graduated from the MFA Poetry Program at Western Colorado University. His chapbook, The Stones Keep Watch, is scheduled to be published this fall by Kelsay Books. His poetry has appeared most recently in Ariel Chart, Asses of Parnassus, Chained Muse, The Lyric, Muse India, The New Lyre, and Sparks of Calliope. 

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