Happy New Year 2024

Another new year looms – with new hopes and new plans.

Mine started out quietly. When I went to bed, it was New Years somewhere over the Atlantic. Celebrations went on without me as I slept.

Little did I know what the first few days of the new year would bring.

On Jan 2, my physical therapy on my new knee went well, but my visit to the surgeon’s office, not so much. I casually mentioned a small twinge in my right hip which x-rays revealed to be more moderate to severe arthritis. Oh, yay. Just like plumbing, fix one thing and something else starts to leak. The best treatment for now is losing weight. That is just about the entire country’s big resolution. Never quite worked for me for long, but hey, it’s a new year.

Things could be worse. I’m still here, alive and kicking (more or less).

Financially, 2024 is looking to be an interesting one. My car is eating oil, so that needs to be addressed. Dec 23 we had new carpet installed, so that has to be paid. One of my hearing aids died, so I’ll need an upgrade on those. The country club fees are due. Insurance is coming up… Well, I do have a roof over my head, I have friends and family who care, and I have my health, such as it is. So, what is there to complain about? (don’t get me started on the 2024 election!)

Come on 2024. I can take it!

So, Happy New Year.

Buckle up!

On Pain

With each ache
I learn something
about myself…
even if only
that I will survive.

When everything seems to hurt,
find one thing that doesn’t!

Fog

Boredom is like a fog,
muting all color,
blurring all clarity.

My current course is shrouded,
hidden by the losses of yesterday
and the fears of tomorrow.

Maybe rain can dispel the fog.
Maybe sunlight can burn through the hopelessness.
Maybe a distant foghorn can lead me safely home.

Sunshine and Rainbows

Life right now is routine and bland.
Days blend together, nights bring restless dreams.
 
I drift though endless hours of
pointless nonsense and dry distractions.
 
Still, the sun shines, casting rainbows
through the window prisms.
 
I miss the way things used to be.
I miss my friends and the life I had.
 
I miss the things from long ago.
I wonder who I used to be.
 
Still, the sun shines, casting rainbows
on the walls, the ceilings, the floors.
 
This time should not be wasted
and yet I can’t seem to move.
 
I need to find renewal
and just a little hope
 
In the sunshine, casting rainbows
on my soul.

A New Normal

Death and Viruses
Aging and New Babies
All changes require finding
A New Normal

Do we reach out?
Do we turn inward?
Do we look to God,
or our loved ones or ourselves?

Establishing a New Normal
takes Courage
involves Pain
is sustained by Hope

And in the end
maybe we’ll find
that a New Normal
will never really be normal again.

Life Lessons

What has 63 years taught me?

That in the world there is:
darkness and light,
cruelty and kindness,
disregard and compassion,
irresponsibility and dedication,
in equal measures.

And I’ve learned that:
life and weeds will always find a way,
love is best given with no expectations,
life is too short to wear tight shoes,
there are little joys everywhere
if I just look.

I wonder what my remaining years will teach me?

Taking My Lumps

I feel like a lump of cheese
shapeless and soft
ready to melt
at the slightest rise in temperature.

I feel like a lump of coal
not pressed hard enough
to create a diamond
but only enough to start a fire.

I feel like a lump of dry clay
so much potential
wasted by
disuse and apathy.

What kind of yeast do I need
to add to this lump of dough
to make it
rise again?

A Winter Thought

The slippery ice
makes me tiptoe
nervously through life.
I need better boots.

Too Long Away

I have been too long away
            from writing my poetry
            from a visit with my family
            from the joy of my music
            from quiet walks in the woods.

I have been too long away
            with no one to blame but myself
            distracted by too many pointless things
            worrying too much about things I can’t change
            forgetting to just be here

I have been too long away
            and it’s time to decide
            what I really want
            before I find myself
            too long away from life itself.

In Pain

Sometimes I literally want to die
die to my pain
die to my frustrations
die to my self pity

There must be more than just this.
I must be more than just this.
So, I cry and let the tears
show me how to live again.