Imprints

Whoooooosh-flop. 
I unroll onto the laminate wooden floor. The room is hot, beads of sweat drip on me. The strength and power emulate down towards me. I feel her weight as she rests and trusts that I hold her up. My newness is exciting, a beautiful turquoise color. Interestingly enough, I was made right down the street, in the same town. Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.

Whoooooosh-flop. 
He loves cuddling with her, and as she practices, his body and paws leave little black furs all over me. I watch them share a cute moment as she looks at him in downward facing dog and he looks back at her. Snap- there is the picture for memories of his youth. Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.

Whoooooosh-flop. 
In the hotel room, I can feel the excitement, the butterflies. It’s early before the big day and she needs me to calm her mind and body. The next time I am unrolled, she will have a new last name. Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.

Whoooooosh-flop. 
Her sneakers are off. She stretches the muscles that have tightened from the long run. Under Armour shorts, tank top, and sore feet. Inhale in, exhale out. She’s ready for the race. Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.

Whoooooosh-flop. 
I’m high up. The rooftop of Whole Foods supports me during the special summer practice. It’s a warm morning with a light breeze. Her sunglasses and flip flops are next to me. I’m in space with many others, taking pride in this beautiful community her friends created. Hss hss hss hss hss wipe wipe wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.

Whoooooosh-flop. 
The burden she brings is immense- work, sadness over a recent loss, feelings of not being accepted, pain about not being where she thought she’d be at this point. A single tear falls on me. I am the constant through it all. Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.

Whoooooosh-flop. 
The floor is harsh and cold. She practices with her husband in the brewery, wearing their green and shamrocks. I know something she does not know yet. Hss hss hss hss hss wipe wipe wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.

Whoooooosh-flop. 
Excitement. A new community. All moms-to-be uniting this time in their lives. Her practice is slow, steady, and yet builds the strength she will need for her long labor ahead. Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.

Whoooooosh-flop. 
No longer fuzzies from socks, dirt specks from the outside, or even occasional blood droplets from her toes due to her long training runs. A new stain- spit up. She shares me with the newest person in her life, his cries and his giggles. Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.

Whoooooosh-flop. 
Frustration. She can’t “have it all.” Sadness, another loss. How did she get here? She’s using me more, the sand from the boardwalk gets into my cracks. The carpet from the home feels so soft. Her practice is begging her to slow down, and she just keeps going. Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.

Whoooooosh-flop.
Pitter-patter of little feet running. This time, two down dogs and partner boat pose. He runs through her legs as she is in goddess pose. Water falls on me from his mini-hydro flask. She scoots towards the laminate wooden floor to make room for him. I hold them both up at the end of the practice. Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.

Whoooooosh-flop. 
Extreme happiness. She’s back to her mom-to-be community, feeling so comfortable in her growing body. Her practice changes as she invites more blocks, and bolsters, and blankets for restoration. She finds her strength in the rest, but welcomes the flow. Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.

Whoooooosh-flop. 
The baby blanket covers my top portion. She listens and laughs with the others, just like her- learning and supporting. I watch this little one move from back to belly to seated. She loves the “om” and has the best smile. Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.
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​Whoooooosh-flop. 
She glances down. She notices the imperfections.  Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up. She looks again, wondering why she can’t restore me back to that first day when my turquoise color was brilliant. When there weren’t stains from the stroller wheel. When there weren’t spots worn down by the feet and hand areas from the sun salutations. Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up. She looks down again and smiles. For the last six years, I’ve been here. Every imprint and permanent mark left on me, has shaped her, too. As she steps into her new life calling, I will go with her- scars and all. Hss hss wipe, the spray bottle and towel clean me up.