This post is part of a series called 100 Days of Poetry.

If I could exhale into my full skin, I would take up the entire room. I would fill it with so much love, so much comfort and joy. I would lower my shoulders, finally, laugh loudly and sit straight up. Learning that by letting things go, I can grow taller, yes. But also kinder. I can grow more tolerant and patient. When I stop holding my entire universe together with the tension I can create in my stomach – achingly on guard for all of this bullshit.