paper poetry files
overflow and I try
to create an inch or two
of new space for now
in a thoughtful way

yet once these drawers
were empty and look
how life can grow
when we work as we can
our many gifts

over decades now
and many times set aside
for all the right reasons
which I believe made
my work better in time

some of the people
who wrote over time
were older than me
and no longer here in person
or we have lost touch

and now I can reread
and learn more at the
age I am now – their good
feedback and help with
poetry

Ellen Grace Olinger