Finding Margin

I’m relishing the feeling of empty,
like a Tibetan prayer bowl
that sings so gloriously
would not want to be muffled
or filled with anything but air.
Being all poured out
is an expansive feeling,
sweetened with patience and hope,
like a languidly restful Sabbath,
or driving alone with no audio on,
like intermittent fasting
is more willing to stop grasping
and to instead float and wait,
or like an unfilled hand
that’s ready to receive what’s new.
Although a simple intake of breath
magnifies opportunity,
the corresponding  depleting exhale
celebrates greater anticipatory expectancy,
and must trust that there is
ever more available than necessary.
Fortunately, it’s clear we are
pervaded and surrounded
by copious allowance and leeway,
and everything needed-
with ample elbow room
and capacious space
in which to choose
and train our lazer-like focus,
directly on what ultimately matters
as already belonging to us
or inherently essential for us,
no longer hungering or craving
anything that’s superfluous.

by Polly Castor
3/31/2022