The Paintings Need To Breathe by Lori Yamamoto

[Verse 1 - The Gallery] The walls are breathing. Very slow. Very quiet. Like a sleeping thing. Most people do not notice. They are too busy looking. [Verse 2 - The Wanting] They want to buy. They want to take the paintings home. They hang them above their sofas, very high up. But paintings need to breathe, I think. [Verse 3 - The Watcher] You are standing still. Like a tree that is keeping a secret from the wind. You do not want to interrupt. You just watch the light change. [Verse 4 - The Practicing] I am practicing for noticing. It is hard. Harder than it looks. I was born paying attention to the small things. The tiny things. [Verse 5 - The Bowl] A bowl is not just a bowl. It is the crack in the side. The way the light tries to hide inside the curve. It can keep you company for hours. [Verse 6 - The Truth] The people who own many things... they are not rich. They are just heavy. The people who notice things... they are the ones who can fly. [Outro] The painting is still here. It is breathing. I think it likes you. You did not try to take it home. You just... looked. That is enough. That is everything. Okay.