Apricot Press

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A Thousand Lungs

By Sandra Beth Levy

I breathe oxygen into air
     there is a forest inside me
When the sun bares down
in harsh tones
my treetops filter her light –
     split it into beams
     through my stained-glass canopy
like rays in a cathedral
dispersed in holy mystery

I offer solace to the weary
     a thousand lungs
     breathe deep full breaths
     sing in my sanctuary
sleep like babes upon a breast

Audio recording of ‘A Thousand Lungs’, written and read by Sandra Beth Levy

Sandra Beth Levy

Sandra Beth Levy has published with Anomaly Poetry, Local Gems Press, Arcana Poetry Press, A Curious Moon, The Vagabond’s Verse, SHINE, Viridine Literary, The Orange Rose, Red Rose Thornes, Azarao Literary, The Poetry Lighthouse, Quillkeepers Press, Cosmic Daffodil, and Three Panels Press, amongst others. She has two poems shortlisted for the 2026 Rough Diamond Poetry Prize. Her debut poetry chapbook will be available for pre-sales with Finishing Line Press in October 2026. Sandra is a retired psychologist who practiced the healing art of psychotherapy for over forty years and is now pursuing her dream of immersion in creative writing. Instagram @slevy43.