Making Space

I'm making a career move. I moved to a new residence. It's an exciting new beginning so I decided to write a poem to acknowledge the parting of some material things to make space for new experiences. 

Making Space
 
That tennis racquet saw a lot of balls – not all aces, but well-worn strings from the courts of Pacific Island Fitness in Kowloon, Hong Kong, with a dip in the lap pool and a sauna afterwards.
 
The rollerblades had their day whizzing around the track at the polo field in Golden Gate Park - imagining they were propelling an elite long blade speed skater.
 
Well intended canvas and acrylic paints collected dust after an initial splurge 10-years ago with some newly created ‘modern’ art in a bare apartment – and waited for that moment where the painter would emerge again which never happened.
 
Tin cups and plates and a large cooler for camping is replaced by a smaller more stylish camouflage piece for trips to Tomales Bay - a stop for Point Reyes blue cheese along the way.
 
The weight of all those medals from outrigger canoe races – most proud of the surprise third place OC1 masters division finish at Sprint Championship - many years ago
 
The new recipients of these surprise treasures will be happy today as they await to be discovered on the sidewalk in the Mission District of San Francisco. 
 
Tennis was replaced by outrigger canoeing, hiking and the gym. My right [Birmingham] hip doesn’t do well with the sudden moves or on the roller blade track either so as painful as it was – I said goodbye to tennis and rollerblading.
 
Painting comes and goes but ceramics are more my style – I like the contrast of letting go and getting messy in the clay – and then the concentration and precision required on the potter’s wheel.
 
Camping evolved into exotic trips to Sitges, Spain and London, England with my partner who like me, loves to explore the world and gets a kick out of getting upgrades, new restaurants, trendy shops - with interesting people and friends along the way.
 
And what to do with all that outrigger canoeing bling? After all, it’s not the Olympics, it doesn’t earn me an income . It’s the camaraderie and communing with nature that matters and for me. And that doesn’t require a medal so off they go.
 
Making space. Feeling lighter.
 
Sometimes it’s good to leave some things behind for others so you can make space for the new - yet to be discovered.