Artist

Alexander Averin

Thursday 3 January 2013

New Year Resolutions






Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
Albert Einstein




The Leaf Charmer




New Year


The rats have gone  from the rafters,
the mice from the midden
and sun before seven no longer has to mean
rain before eleven.
How does this New Year’s morning pass?
She sweeps the leaves into the river
while listening to the robin sing.
Half-hidden in the magnolia,
he is alone and she is alone
and it is to her alone that he seems to be singing.
She thinks as she sweeps and the robin sings
and the river flows past her.
She thinks of words,
the ones that she will sweep away
like should, ought and must.
She retains the ever-present why and for good measure adds why not?
She stocks up on the cans and the coulds, the wants and the wishes
not forgetting the needs.
All nevers and buts are banned;
when, where, how and now loom large.
There are to be no more cannots, must nots,
should nots, ought nots,
ought tos, never agains;
all are quickly brushed away
along with the far too many ifs and worries, sorries and regrets.
They journey away so quickly,
downstream they go, along with her leaves
at a comforting and such a steady speed.


Cait O’Connor

13 comments:

Vee said...

You caught that feeling so well...a meaningful poem for a new year ad a new beginning.

Frances said...

Cait, I read your New Year, and with every line, I was nodding agreement, and smiling with some experienced knowledge of first days of January.

It's a wise, witty, encouraging poem.

Thank you for this New Year's gift. xo

Jenny said...

". . . and for good measure adds why not"
ah yes. lovely.

helen tilston said...

Hello Cait

A beautiful thought provoking poem.
I love the ending and the positive note

Helen

elizabeth said...

A wonderful poem with a splendid message.
Time to be new and clean and sweep away everything we don't need.....
and think clearly.
All best wishes for a rich and creative year.

Pondside said...

What a beautiful poem for the New Year. Yes, yes, yes to each sentiment!

Mairéad said...

What a wonderful optimistic message for the New Year.
Hope it's a good one for you.

Friko said...

One to remember. One ought to remember this. Throw out the ‘ought to here’ and exchange for ‘will’ and we have a deal.

Writing from the Edge said...

Love your poem Cait. Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Wishing you a great year ahead Cait. Wonderful poem.

Dave King said...

You have given us the essence of a new year, a new day, a new take on life. May 2013 be all that you wish for yourself and yours.

David said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
David said...

Loved the The Leaf Charmer picture. It now adorns my desktop! Dx