Tranquility

I close my eyes
Breathe, consciously
And bring up an image
Of tranquility

A memory
A fantasy
A painting
A scene

Hold that in my mind

Breathing in
Breathing out

Clear my mind
Of all that is not
Tranquility
All that is not that image

I let unrest float away
On the gentle breeze
That is my breath
Breathing out

Breathing in
Tranquility

Soon the unrest is gone
The stress
And the anxiety
Whither down to nothing

I practiced this
Then after a time
I did not need the image
Just closed eyes and breath

I practiced that
Then after a time
I did not need the darkness
Only the breath

I practiced that
Then one day realized
Tranquility
Had become my way

As much a part of me
As a breath

As essential
As natural

An expression
Of my being

As it always was
Had I come
To have known
Myself