Each morning,

the Earth inhales,

and the sun rises to the east
in a triumphant combination
of oranges, yellows, and pinks.

The sliver of a moon
disappears
beneath the brilliance of daylight,
taking with it
the shadows of the night.

The mist that caresses the hillsides
dissipates
until only its memory remains
in tiny, reflective dew drops
on the blades of grass.

Somewhere in the distance,
cattle bellow and stomp,
and the noise echoes through valleys,
while tiny flocks of quail coo,
wandering in search of food.

A single dragonfly
makes its way over the
dew-covered hills,
its wings shimmering turquoise and violet,
flashing in the sunlight,
ignorant to any movement above or below.

Then, just for a moment,
everything is still.
The Earth has taken its first breath.
Exhale.

The Earth moves slowly,
each inhalation and exhalation
thirty minutes long.

Yet, in that breath,
the creatures of the Earth
experience an immense gratitude
towards life that is unparalleled
in the human world.

In one breath,
every organism that has awoken
from the cold of night,
comes to the profound realization
that they will thrive another day.

There are no questions to be asked,
no desires to be fulfilled,
only unfiltered joy for the new day.
All in a breath.