Clear Water

My life is stuffed too full.

Stuff on the bottom mashed
in a corner,
Stuff on top still
looking light and fluffy,
unaware that it too will be reduced
to a compacted weight.
I was trying to empty the jar
but everything was stuck
together inside
folded upon itself...

So I began taking things out
one at a time,
crumpled paper here
pressed metal there.
A comb
a flashlight loose

change.

Sawdust
a safety pin
a bus ticket
never used things
I once needed,
weighing me down.

Taking up my precious space.

At the bottom
I found nothing,
emptiness,
freedom.

I could see through the jar
surprised at the pattern
etched into the beautiful glass.

I filled it with
clear water
and flowers of every color.

©2015 A.L. Freeman