Wring out the heavy, swollen year, the dense
months and bloated days: the wet news left
outside soaking up a season’s rain.
Rinse, then squeeze the soured brain, and let its
sodden contents drain.
Then the rest: shoulder
elbow, knee. Let the water fall.
Let it fill a cup, pail, sink, shower,
sea.
Let the floods recede: then roll
your burdened, bursting heart with care.

Unwrap. Discard. Reroll. Wait until
its walls, stretched thin, relax to
bring release and the potential
for collapse.
Then be lifted by
the weight you bore.
Wring in the new.