BJZ Poems and Musings

Photo: Stokely Creek, Gulais River, Ontario. February 2026.

As I entered my post-“real work” phase of life two years ago one promise that I have made into a daily habit is to do morning yoga. I learned yoga from my brother Craig years ago, and reinforced by my wife, I came to appreciate the benefits of yoga for the body, and especially the mind. But, I was sporadic until my schedule eased and I made it an expectation and even a need. My day doesn’t feel right without my 25 minutes of a gentle yoga routine to start it off. One part of the practice is to sit in a meditative pose near the end and focus on breathing. That was initially challenging – my morning mind racing with all the thoughts and tasks of the day. But eventually I was able to train my mind to clear and purge itself of random thoughts in the little space that comes between deep breaths. In those few seconds, I could find a sense of peace and harmony. I am no master yogi, and this part of my yoga might last 5 minutes, but the effects on my psyche go well beyond those few moments. This poem is a contemplation on that space between the breaths. Om to all.

The Space Between

In my morning yoga, near the end,
I sit in brief meditation and breathe deeply,
In the six directions, in and out, in and out,
Seeking the space between the breaths.

Others are doing this – basketball players,
Before their free throws – big breath,
In and out. Calm thyself, shoot the ball.
And golfers, before the big putt – in and out, om, stroke the ball.
Conductors, before the symphony, breathe, pause, engage the music.
In the deposition, before answering that tough one – breathe, think.

So, in that space between the breaths
Is what? Clarity? Truth? Peace?

Precious, temporary,
For at some point
There will be that breath,
And the brain will whisper, “enough”-
No breath to follow;
The space between
Slips into the cloak of eternity.

The heart,
All passion and glory,
Will beat on a bit
But eventually oxygen,
Or the lack thereof,
Rules

Ah, I’ve gone dark.
Tomorrow morning
I’ll savor the time between the breaths,
Feel the peace in this holy place,
Even more to appreciate
The sacred breath that closes the space.

Brian J. Zink 2026 Copyright rules apply