In my previous post I alluded briefly to the linguistic and scriptural interplay between the words “Breath” and “Spirit.” A decade ago I wrote a poem based upon the semantic interplay of words etymologically related to breathing and the spirit, and, since I had mentioned the idea already, I thought I’d share the poem as well.

In the years since I wrote this, my poetic style has become more formal, but the focus of this poem is less on structure and more on etymological pun and religious symbolism.

Why Osiris is Green
by J. Max Wilson

When one is inspired,
‘Tis wise to hold one’s breath.
Lay hold upon that aspiration.
To exhale is expiration;
And expiration, death.

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