Breath-taking

my father is dying
“it will be today” the nurse said
when I arrived at 8 o’clock
it will be a relief for him
to be released from a body trapping
his stories his advice his smile
inside a tangled mind

my mother is crying
as the energy in his body
moves towards the center
as his skin lavenders
as his hands and feet cool
as his breath catches holds 

this is sacred time
and yet
no one speaks of awe at a time like this
coming in and going out this
ending and beginning this
witnessing the amazing grace of
the body as a machine
shutting down its functions
the body as temple as sanctuary
for a spirit the holy the energy
that connects us
in life in death in life after death 

outside the open window
the goldfinches chirp at the feeder
my breath catches holds
as my father’s last exhale leaves his body
as light as a feather
his lips parted
as his spirit separates slips the bonds
of muscle blood and bone 

the birds are flying
suddenly
in a rustling of feathers
they are gone
into the golden sun of five o’clock

In your sacred time of this life, WHAT inspires awe?
TELL US IN THE COMMENTS.

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SARA JEWELL is the author of the award-winning book, Alphabet of Faith: 26 Words About Faith, Ethics and Spirituality, and the children's picture book, I Built A Cabin. She is a substitute teacher and licensed lay worship leader who lives in rural Nova Scotia, Canada. Connect with her at www.sarajewell.ca and on Instagram at @jewellofawriter.