So that the Necessary May Speak

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. ~ Hans Hofmann

What is necessary?
I must take care of myself
for I'm no good for anyone else
or for any cause if I have nothing to give.
It's necessary to have adequate sleep,
food, funds, shelter, medical care...
But once Maslow's hierarchy gets met,
what then? A purpose? Knowledge?
Love. Connection with sentient beings.
To contribute something to humankind...
or maybe just to be kind to humans...
But to let the necessary speak
it seems one must pause and listen
to hear the universe, the voice of love,
goodness alive among us, that amorphous power
we came to realize, our souls...
Perhaps we can never know to whom we attune
until we've paused to wonder.

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