Open Spaces

I’m raking brown oak leaves

on an early fall day

watching the green yard

emerge from below

scattered with acorns

and welcoming the open spaces.

Used to working hard
and staying busy,
I’m tempted to yell to the old oak
“Bring it on!
Release more leaves!
I can handle a heavier load!”

The yard gently stops me

inviting me not to push

but rather to be.

“Slow down,” it says and

“Trust.

Trust.

Trust in the open spaces

of your life.”

It’s easy to look at my calendar
and be tempted
to fill the open spaces
to satisfy the internal voices
that shout,
“You’re not doing enough!
Work harder!
Do more!”

I want to let those voices go

and pay attention

to the wisdom of the yard.

Slow down and

trust.

Trust.

Trust in the open spaces

of my life.




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