In January

In January

In January,

the world is new.

Confetti and champagne and kisses

mark the natural passing of time,

a rather pointless tradition

if one thinks about it practically,

but January is not about practicality.

January is about symbols and resolutions.

January is hoping, dreaming, praying

to be better, stronger, happier.

January is optimistic.

It is vibrant, fresh, alive.

January is the time to stop and reflect

or rush right ahead into something that shimmers.

It is the time to be thankful that we are still breathing, living, laughing;

because despite everything,

despite November and December,

all those miserable, frigid days,

we have reached the other side.

We may be bruised and battered and broken;

our voices may shake and our hands may tremble,

but we trust that lists scribbled on napkins

and the promise of summer’s return

and the chance to remake ourselves

will save us,

and we are right.

In January,

everything is new,

and we are still breathing.

*****

This is a brand-new piece that I haven't taken the time to tweak/edit/whatever, so I don't think it's a final version, but I'm pleased with what I have so far. I normally don't post anything that I haven't agonized over for awhile, so this is a bit difficult for me, but I hope to do more of this casual write-something-then-post-it-right-away thing in the future. :)