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.

When one is expired,
Overcome by death’s proud sting,
He long awaits his respiration,
To inhale is inspiration—
‘Tis inspirationing.

When one is perspired,
Sweat glistening on his brow,
He labors with each transpiration
With God to be his conspiration,
And God will him Endow.

Hold your breath Osiris!
Hold it evermore.
Eternal life is your’s to keep—
Don’t open up that door.

Hold your breath Osiris!
Buried in the sea;
For in this life we’re underwater:
Don’t set your spirit free.

I haven’t shared much of my poetry on my blog, but I hope to share more in the future. The only other original poem I have posted is a Christmas poem I wrote a few years back. Since the Christmas season is upon us again, you might enjoy checking it out too: The Christmas Tree