My new year’s day ponderings came at the same question of what to do with all the depressing news. The ponderings turned into a poem. Here goes…

what’s so new
about a new year
so much hoopla
and hype as we watch
the clock handily tell us
with one final sweep
that all is forgiven
forgotten or reformed somehow
in this brand new moment
like the arbitrary
crossroads where one country
becomes another

so much hope crammed
into an instant
as we resolve that this
is our year our
time our moment
for redemption perhaps
or reinvention
or simply for letting go
letting up or moving on
updown the road

but on the continuum of life
the twists and turns
are more arbitrary and
less predictable by far
and opportunities
for releasing old habits
and over-worked beliefs
are instantaneously available
as are attitude adjustments
and lucky chances

so what’s so new
about this new year
is that I get it
now
get the idea
that any punctuation
point can puncture
and deflate the worst
as we let bygones be bygones
as we choose to erase
the disgrace and disillusionment
that has sullied this past year
and embrace
each other
with hope in our hearts
and possibilities on our minds

≈ from the heart, mind, and pen of Minx Boren
author of Feeling My Way – 99 Poetic Journeys
© 2008 Minx Boren – All rights reserved.