Ruth hosts our Poetry Friday today at her blog, There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town. Thanks to Ruth, we can all enter the new year in grand celebration, of Naomi Shihab's wise words, "so little is a stone" and Jane Kenyon's bringing of happiness, no matter the drought of it, of Haiti's celebration with pumpkin soup, so much to smile over.
My neighborhood is celebrating the new year together through lighting luminaries this year at twilight on Friday. It's a lovely way for us to be together without "being together".
I wrote a really long poem about this past year, the first of a new decade, one we all were excited to welcome. The year wasn't quite what we expected and my poem turned out rather bleak. Like the year, however, there were things to smile about as well as frown. I cut it down to what I want to remember. What would you put into such a poem?
Quotes I lived by:
"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." Oscar Wilde
"Let's just muddle through today. That's what I say. We can't take care of tomorrow until it gets here." Elizabeth George
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await another voice.” T.S. Eliot
The Way We Were
January – welcome new decade,
delicious tastes ahead
February - sweet candy hearts
say “sweet love” and (not-to-be) “hug me”
March - blew in with ballast:
news that lied, “over by Easter”
April – Easter echoed: no church,
no gatherings, no Peeps
May – mighty wifi went viral,
mortarboards flung on Zoom (sometimes at Zoom)
June – tiny openings, disinfectants reigned,
sunshine brought vitamin D enthusiasts
July – no travel, no beach, continued “Nays”
forest fires - “Yeas”, breaths-challenged tragedies
August – disgusting decisions: schools opened;
no, they didn’t; yes, they did. . .no
September – trees falter, desk orders rise,
#amwalking hashtags and leaf poems burgeon
October – outside beauty, inside birthday
ending with Halloween’s silent doorbells
November – election delight, but waiting, waiting
Thanksgiving smaller, gratitude for wellness bigger
December – No carols sung in Malls, USPS tries,
mask-ful Christmas,
No matter! Bells may now be rung.
Linda Baie ©
Wishing the Happiest of the New Year to you and yours!
Your year-recap poem is epic, Linda! I especially like your line: "mortarboards flung on Zoom (sometimes at Zoom)". This made me laugh out loud because I definitely have a love/hate relationship with zoom as well. :)
ReplyDeleteAs much as 2020 was horrible, there were some pretty terrific moments as your poem reminds us. I'm going to follow your lead in continuing to put light, love, and poetry into the universe in 2021. Sending you a virtual hug as we usher in the New Year.
Thank you, Bridget, yes, there were terrific moments, some I didn't include like being with family as often as possible. I am ready for more in 2021, more visits, more writing, more safe ways to gather!
DeleteThis is SO good, Linda!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ruth, it felt quite good to write and now I'm ready for new!
DeleteWow! Your pen is mighty...and spot on. How did you do that? I'm a bit in awe of how sharp and crisp this is. I suspect that someday, there will be an anthology of poetry (maybe many) from pandemic days. This needs to be in it. This needs to be the introduction. Well done. And, Happy New Year. Let's make it more OUR year this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, writing this felt rather like "a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down" - Remember, then move on to better? I imagine there will be many pieces gathered so none of us will forget.
DeleteWow, the whole year in a poem! Brava! Yay for those ringing bells. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Irene! It doesn't include everything, but creates a mnemonic for me for each month.
DeleteI missed the beach too, my neighborhood one that I'd walk to and sketch at, and the couple we'd take a day drive to… perhaps this summer. Thanks for your reflective poem Linda, and good challenge you gave yourself. Happy New Year with more family visits!
ReplyDeleteEven when close, much was missed, wasn't it? Like your beach! Thanks, Michelle, & Happy New Year to you, too.
DeleteIt's hard to look back yet - but I had a laugh at the not singing in malls - our Zoom choir was shown in one of our local malls, and while I didn't see it in person, apparently it was nice to shop by!
ReplyDeleteWe make do, don't we. Never mind all that - let's ring some bells!
I found that as I wrote, I did remember more, but those early months seem like years and years ago. Fun to hear about your Zoom choir, Tanita. I put that in because a bookstore colleague sings in her wonderful church choir that has so many extraordinary trips in the past, then nothing this year. She said once to me that they didn't even get to sing at the Mall! Thanks, Tanita, wishing you a Happy New Year!
DeleteAmazing how you encapsulate the year with such "easy" flow - and you nailed every bit. "Easter echoed" strikes me still. Happy New Year - let the bells ring, indeed!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes! I read that bells did get to ring in London for the new year at least! Thanks, Fran, the remembering is unique to each I know, yet I hope my poem sparked some of everyone's own memories.
DeletePhew! What a year! The details you have chosen capture it perfectly. Can I just say I am really glad to move forward! Here's to a more people filled 2021!
ReplyDeleteWow, I love this little shorthand of 2020. And really, I think shorthand for it is important. Savor the good moments. Remember and honor the bad. But don't dwell. That's how I'm trying to see 2020. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol & Laura, Short makes it better, just those things I don't want to forget!
ReplyDeleteYou packed so much into these lines, Linda! Thanks for providing this guided look back. "Halloween’s silent doorbells" says it all. Here's to a brighter, more festive next 12 months.... XO
ReplyDeleteI remember the Halloween well, saddest night. I hand-carried some to a few neighbors' children, but that's about it. It is a year to remember most so we won't repeat. Thanks, Robyn!
DeleteThis one is going in my journal. Just about right, Linda. My husband calls 2020 the Lent that never ended.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard that analogy before, but he is right, & thus far three days into the new year, it continues. Thank you, Margaret
Delete"Halloween's silent doorbells" -- sob! What a year of ups and downs we all had, Linda. Your format is just right to look back at 2020 (what you say about August -- so true!) The quote from Elizabeth George is speaking to me.
ReplyDeleteThat quote has been a favorite for a long time, Laura, glad you like it, too! Happy 2021 - hopeful!
DeleteI love your poem, Linda.That was clever to round up the year. I especially liked this thought: "#amwalking hashtags and leaf poems burgeon". Happy new Year and thanks for the stroll through a most unusual year.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Carol. It felt like something I needed to do. Happy New Year!
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