The old year snuck away quietly,
Slipping out the calendar door between
A strange burst of warmth and sunshine
And January's silver tongues of frost.
We were glad to see it go,
Hobbling away over memory's horizon,
A grab bag stuffed with pain and loss
Slung over its shoulder,
Spitting, swearing - and muttering
Dark untruths as it receded,
Worn and embittered.
I remember how it came to us,
Ringing with song, soaked in wine and
Bullish with expectations of enduring
Love and earned reward and new lives.
We cheered as fireworks sparked,
Sending sweet words around the world,
Texts of friendship and desire in
This moment of fresh starts,
Yearning, hoping - and offering
Silent prayers as the new year blazed,
Young and arrogant.
This year we promised to be wiser,
Avoiding that contrived innocence in
Tabula Rasa and promises to self of
Grace and kindness and forgiveness.
We raised our glasses thoughtfully,
Fearing tomorrow's hidden hurts,
Thinking silently on who might feel
That first cut of time's knife,
Doubting, worrying - and wondering
Which of us might offer tired surrender,
Spent and accepting.
3rd January, 2019
YOU ARE READING
Fragments And Reflections
PoetryPoems looking at everything and anything not in my other collections. Here you'll find life and time, wild oceans and lonely coast paths, busy streets and empty hotel rooms, wild concerts and late night writing. All just fragments and reflections, l...
