the clean slate

I take
the eraser and wipe
the black board. it takes
all day.
I scrub hard
at the words, doubt,
fear, loneliness, etched
in with a heavy hand.
I want a clean slate.
it's a joyous occasion.
I remove all the chalk
of yesterday. I sponge
it down, make it new
again.
the board is pristine,
ready for a new day coming.
that lesson is over.
those dark pages are gone.
the next chapter
of my life begins.
I can hardly wait.
I take a new piece of chalk
and begin to write.