What clearing out gives us

the chance to pay attention
a blank page
freedom from what wears out our hearts
a clean fridge
the bare and sometimes lonely
space to make
appreciation for strong packaging tape
the essentials
surprises
a lifted veil, a clearing of the smoke
space to pray
truth telling
wide vistas
silence
a reminder of what to keep and what to toss
room to dance in the kitchen
perspective
an openness to change
a floor to sweep

First appeared in Ruminate Issue 32 and inspired by Marilyn McEntyre’s “list” poems