November 24-B, 2022

Our memories shape us,
creating a background tone
for our life
and setting us up
for a future
conditioned by our past
no matter what we do there.

Living to redeem our past
or to repeat it
are equally
bound to it,
and we cannot step away
from how we got here
to just be here,
free to do what needs to be done
apart from the influence
of all that has happened.
Or failed to happen.

Thus the importance of 
ritual cleansing,
emptying ourselves
of the emotional weight
we carry into each situation
as it arises,
and starting over,
here/now,
with a fresh start
free from the dregs 
of all of our yesterdays,
and abounding with the 
enthusiasm and curiousity
of a Carolina Wren
on its first excursion
from the nest,
going at each moment 
in a "What's this? What's this? What's this?..."
kind of way.

Seeing how many times 
we can be surprised 
and pleased 
in a day.

–0–