Trips to Goodwill

 

I traded in my life

It was like scheduling 

a knee replacement.

It had to be done

and what a difference!

 

I gave my it away, bit by bit

and box by box --

in possessions, collections

of stuff that called to me, 

or things that marked me. 

 

Each month I head off 

with something to drop off --

things to send off or write off.

If I buy a shirt, I give a sweater

without regret – I am practiced

 

I could not haul them around anymore --

these signatures of moments that are gone

and are not part of today;

I traded these myriad of things

for my life in the present.