A Poem About the New Year's Fresh Start

Eleven o'clock

The church bells now chime,

Reminding me to be thankful

Before I run out of time,

For the food on my table

For the clothes on my back

For all that I have,

That some less fortunate lacked.

For the health of my children,

For my father still living,

For the moments when others

Were generous and giving,

For the freedom to live

And to do as I please,

Don't forget to give thanks

For each one of these.

Quarter after eleven

Now it's nearing the end

We will soon say goodbye

Away the old year we send.

To all of its joys

To all of it's sorrows,

To all of it's yesterdays

To all of it's tomorrows,

No matter how good

No matter how bad

No matter how happy,

Miserable or sad,

This year will be gone

Just like all the years past

That's the thing about years,

They aren't meant to last

When the clock strikes twelve

The old year must depart

And wipe the slate clean,

So the New Year can start

Bringing chances for change.

And time to begin anew,

Take your chance on the future,

Maybe re-invent you.

Another year to build memories

With the people you love,

Another year to think things

That you never thought of.

Take a leap of faith

You've nothing to fear,

If it doesn't go well.....

There's always next year

_{Kristen Burns-Darling (copyright 2011)}