i try and teach my dad to breathe

the mindful way.

close your eyes.

take a deep breath in

hold 1

breathe out

hold 2.

his southern italian ways

don’t seem to cooperate with his breathing

as my dad’s eyes were closed

i peeked mine open.

his face was crinkled up

i observed holding of the breath

not so much concentrating on it.

not so much breathing through it.

he says that’s enough.

1 time is enough.