Word Acrostic: Happy New Year

Happy is a relative term. Old or

New, calendars still read one month at a time, all

Year long.

Experiments in Pensieve form

Stranded

I squint through driving snow

Stale engine air provides welcome heat

While we listen to the updated road report.

Cold wind cuts through my thick parka as we take shelter

A styrofoam cup of hot decaf provides welcome relief.

Bells

Silver, gold, or red and green

Bring joy to the voices raised in song

On the smooth leather harnesses or long, rough belfry ropes

Jingling and clanging and ringing out the good news

For unto us a child is born!

Winter Storm

Snow layers on the trees
The proverbial blanket of white
Too pretty to feel cold
Takes the shape of all it covers.

Stillness, early sunset comes
All muffled by the still-falling snowflakes
Not too windy, instead,
The kind of falling snow that
Holiday parade officials wish would fall as Santa arrives.

But not Christmas, now, despite the colorful lights
Still visible in families’ windows and yards
Just a lovely steady snowfall
Coating the houses, the porches, the trees,
And sending small animals into
Shelter.

Countdown - or - Drink a Toast to Life

Contemplation of a New Year
Fill in the blanks.

Five Significant Memories: Look back
1
2
3
4
5

Four predictable events to come: Look forward
1
2
3
4
5

Three Highlights of the Year that's Ending: Reminisce
1
2
3

Two Good Habits to Continue and Enjoy: Look ahead while looking back.
1
2

One -- just one!
One Goal for the year to come

Think it over.
Declare the goal real. Relevant. Possible.
Now drink a toast,
Whether champagne or grape juice
Promise yourself it'll happen.
Then make it so.