December 31st

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All my undone actions wander

naked across the calendar,

a band of skinny hunter-gatherers,

blown snow scattered here and there,

stumbling toward a future

folded in the New Year I secure

with a pushpin: January's picture

a painting from the 17th century,

a still life: Skull and mirror,

spilled coin purse and a flower.


Richard Hoffman, "December 31st" from Emblem. Copyright © 2011 by Richard Hoffman. Reprinted by permission of Barrow Street Press.



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