I am taking deep breaths

I am taking deep breaths.

I drink a cup of coffee in the afternoon
because my grandmother did, and sometimes it helps.

I am taking deep breaths,
and trying to move forward
one step at a time
to carve a niche for myself
though it seems like possibly the worst time to try.

I am taking deep breaths,
and trying to hold my heart in one piece
because the world has become a scary place
and holding back will not make it less so.

I am taking deep breaths.
One foot in front of the other.

I do not know the future.
I only know the next step.