Breath. Road. Sky.

Maybe it’s my grey hair talking, but I’ve been thinking lately about all the finish lines I’ve invented for myself. All the ways I’ve mistaken getting somewhere for just simply being here soaking it all in.

And I’ve also been thinking lately about how much of my life happens without me noticing it. I haven’t been a very good witness lately.

These three poems came out of me this week and I am wanting more to pay closer attention to the wonder that surrounds me.

Sometimes I’m afraid that I won’t discover
my breath until I’m about
to take my last one.

If I breathe 20K times a day,
how many of them are holy?

All of them.
All of them.
All of them.

But my lungs aren’t cathedrals.

They are twin redwood forests
where their branches reach for
a sky that I keep forgetting is there.

I inhale.
I am.
I exhale.
I am.

Someday my final breath will come,
but it won’t be any more important
than this one I am taking now.

Or this one.
Or this one.
Or this one.

I thought I was losing the race.

Well, to be honest, I guess I am.
I’m bringing up the rear.

I think I see some of you up on the horizon.
And I doubt I’ll catch up.

I was running with the wrong shoes for so long.
That I fell way behind.

It’s weird to be in last place
While my legs have never felt stronger.

I won’t catch up with you.
But I don’t want to.

I’m not running for a finish line trophy.
That’s the last thing I want.

What do I want
when I cross over?

To remember this:

Forgiving ourselves
flattens every hill.

“Why are you crying again?”

“Because I have never seen a sunset like this before.”

“That’s what you said yesterday.”

“I know.”

A few times a year I get to do one of the weirdest jobs on the planet. I gather complete strangers around tables…ask them to trust blank pages…to trust themselves.

And then we go wild.

Somehow, by the end of it all, people leave feeling less alone. How do I know that? Because I always do. Being an artists can be lonely work. That’s why these little community-building experiences are so important to me.

Sure There are tears. There is also ridiculous laughter. There are breakthroughs that nobody saw coming. There is usually at least one person who says:

“I haven’t heard myself in years.”

I never get tired of hearing that.

If you’ve ever thought, “Someday I’d love to do something like that. Maybe someday has become now.

These experiences aren’t just for writers. Creatives of all kind are welcome.

I have so many adventures opening up for 2027. From Italy to Southern France in Europe. Santa Fe, Colorado, Wisconsin, Maine and Arizona here in the states. Virtual offerings for 2027 will be released soon.

IF you hear the call of the wild coming from your heart. Listen to it. Check out what I have going on and see if it’s a match for your journey!

You can find all of my upcoming workshops, retreats, and online classes here:

follow the call!

You can also reach to me at john@johnroedel.com to book me for your event!