Letting All the Bad Stuff Go

 

First there were the big blue hills,

covered in snow, across the lake.

There were bullrushes, my first black dog,

a swing; weiners and beans for lunch,

two large turkeys who walked,

one on each side of me, up and down

the driveway, to protect me,

because I was so small.

Later, there was Grandma's house,

apple orchards in spring blossom,

riding my bike far out into the hills.

Always, the smell of the hot, packed earth,

sage and Ponderosa pine.

Today there was a happy hello 

from a wolf-dog who loves me,

and his grim owner yanking him away.

Unhappy humans tend to take away

the happiness of others. Well, they try.

But I am at peace: with my life,

with my soul, with how hard I have tried
through all the high-hearted
years.

I hold onto the joy: puffy clouds

against blue sky, spring unfolding.
Birds.
Blossoms.
Poems.
I protect my

peaceful rooms, my peaceful heart.

I watch myself letting all the bad stuff go.

The title and closing line were inspired by Watching Myself As I Learn to Let Go by Rosemerry Wahtolla Trommer.