I'm Giving Away My Things

Adaline came across this poem in her files. While she did not write it, she lives to practice it in her own life.

I'm giving away my things
And it turns out to be
As much an occupation
As collecting them was.

I browse among my friends the way
I used to browse in shops.
I try to decide who should have the cameo
I wore as a bride, who would like
My Chinese vase. I go through the closets and drawers
Amazed at what I find.

So many objects. I'm ashamed
To have so much when so many have so little.
Worse still, there are a lot of things I hardly ever used.

This handsome fish poacher, for example.
Hammered copper. It came from France.
I used it once or twice. We thought a meal had to be
Meat and potatoes. The kids knew better.

My daughter-in-law eats only vegetables and fish.
She says it saves grain for the hungry and is a less aggressive way to live.
She'll love the fish poacher and my silver napkin rings.

It takes forever, sorting things.
I stop to think about where and when
And I find myself thinking I may have use for this again.

Nonsense. I don't bake angel food cakes anymore,
Give the pan away. Funny I thought I'd feel a sense of loss
With fewer of my things around.

I don't.
I feel exhilarated, free.

Is this why You told the rich man to sell his goods?
I think now Your command
Was meant to help the rich man/woman more.

Adaline Bjorkman of Northbrook IL leads journal workshops, teaches creative writing inher retirement home, does grief work, writes stories for children and has volunteered in Intergenerational Partnership.