Clutter

by Cheryl Merrick

There is so much to do today,
or so I tell myself,
as I rush from one thing
to another.

I have no time to stop
and admire the changing light,

to feel the soft breeze,
or hear the birds call.

There is important work to be done,
or so I remind myself,
as I push through another day
filled with work 
I have created.

Instead of asking
What is truly essential
and patiently listening for an answer,
I dash anxiously through
my cluttered days
clutching my pitiful prize,
a crumpled, crossed-off list.