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“Come,
gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness.”—William Shakespeare, The
Merry Wives of Windsor
As
another year is right round the corner, we are ready to ring out the old and
ring in the new one.
For
me it’s a time for contemplation too; looking back and ahead; awaiting the
wonder and the unexpected; the bright spots and the dark corners; delight for
the new vista in time and a tinge of sadness for the time lost forever.
Are
you reflective too? Do you also pause and be mindful of what was? Or would you
prefer to think of what is coming tomorrow and step into new beginnings? Do
you have your resolutions for the new year? How does 2024 inspire you as it
gathers itself for flight?
The
old calendar
fills
me with gratitude
like
a song.
A
couple of poems for your inspiration :
Ode to the First Day of the year by Pablo Neruda
Burning the Old by Naomi Shihab Nye
Please link one poem that is your response to the
material of this prompt. When you link your poem please visit other links in
the spirit of the community
I'm afraid it's another old poem this week. This time of year always gets me down - it's when my mother contracted the pneumonia that finally killed her in January 2017. I hope to have recovered from my melancholy by mid-January, ready to write new poems for the New Year - a little late, but better late than never.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely understandable, Kim! Just glad to have you here.
DeleteThis is a beautiful poem Kim. I am so sorry for your loss. Mothers are mothers. January is very heavy for me too. I also lost my loved one at this time of the year.
DeleteI'm so sorry for your loss, Kim and Sumana, and am so glad you are here.
DeleteGood morning, poets. Thank you, Sumana, for hosting. I love both Shakespear's quote and the lines by Buson. And excellent poem examples. It is a time of reflection, and gratitude.......I think 2024 is going to be a year whose consequences could be felt for years to come. I just hope people elect their leaders wisely. Happy holidays, poets! May all be exceedingly well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sherry.
DeleteHere in India JN.1 Covid variant is raising its head. So we are a bit skeptical about a happy new year. Sigh.
Hello Everyone! Enjoy reading and sharing. It's almost 10 : 30 P.M. here. Hope 2024 brings happiness to all.
DeleteYes, Sumana, I am always reflective as one year ends and another one begins. Part of my brain is looking behind and part of it is looking ahead. I will try to keep some hope for the new year, hope that something positive will happen to stop the warring, hope for more love and acceptance and less hatefulness. And yes, there is always a tinge of sadness for what will never be again! Thank you for this opportunity to reflect and read others' reflections, Sumana.
ReplyDeleteYou're right Mary. More love and hope and less hatefulness is the right track to continue our journey forward.
DeleteThank you for the prompt and happy new year to all I have two poems that might fit Beginning and Sheep in Winter - Jae
ReplyDeleteThank you Jae for joining us today & gifting us a delightful poem.
DeleteO Sumana! Thank you for Nye and Neruda and Buson. I will keep all their poems in my file of poems I cannot live without. And now to let myself reflect on "Happy New Year." I not made it a holiday for years, celebrating only by putting the new copyright date on my blogged poems. Hmm. I will try to make of the day a portal . . .
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan for sharing such a wonderful reflection on "Happy New Year".
DeleteHappy Christmas Eve! (Staying aware of the tragedy in Gaza and the cancelling of Christmas in Bethlehem.)
ReplyDelete