One lone maple tree,

planted here, so far from home,

brings joy, despite its sorrow.

~

Relocation can

bring both joy and sorrow

as we settle in.

Sometimes there’s nothing

to salvage and it is then

best to just let go.

~

Most things in this world

have some real salvage value

but is it worth all that work?

In the cold grey dawn.

after dancing one last dance.

it’s time to pay the piper.

~

And the memories

of that last dance will bring us

pleasure beyond price.

Miracles happen

and sometimes we’re on schedule,

but mostly we aren’t.

~

Schedules, sages say,

comfort neurotics and are

safety nets for simpletons.

Oh! Dear! Another

stillborn poetic promise

published before inception

~

Poetry resists

schedules and defies all of

our best intentions.

Another rainy

day, but not a real cold one –

that helps a whole lot.

~

Rainy days provide

Not just the promise of spring

but also time to reflect.

We all seek guidance

as we travel through this world…

some navigate by instinct.

~

Whether from outside

or inside, we seek light in

order to find the best way.

Rising sun, rising

mist – nature’s gentle signal

that we should rise too.

~

Some rise misty eyed;

Others as bright as the sun.

As for me, I lounge abed.

The multihued glow

of a chill winter sunset

warms the soul if not the flesh.

~

Our souls need to be

warmed whether by sunsets or

just by happenstance.

Warm, sunny days ease

discomfort, bring relief from

the stalking of colds.

~

Northward, bitter rains

instill a bone-deep shiver

harsher than the deepest snow.

Maybe after two

attempted populist coups,

they will discard that playbook?

~

When winning is all

that matters, losers refuse

to accept defeat.

Cardinals bring color

to these January days

and help keep the blues at bay

~

Riots of color

brighten the drab winterscape,

even if only in spots.

May there be a calm

before the breaking chaos,

or, at least, a hiatus?

~

Drama kings and queens

will ensure that chaos rules

as long as they have the throne.

Just to see the light

of the sun caress the leaves

soothes our housebound souls.

~

There’s light in finding

loyal and faithful children

who bring soothing comfort food.

We take our wellness

for granted until sickness

pays us a visit.

~

Some relish sickness.

Perhaps they feel unworthy

to bask in a healthy glow?

Precise ritual

nourishes the heart and soul

of the sacred space.

~

Knox and the two cats

have rituals of their own

which I must follow.

The morning sun made

quite an entrance. The sky turned

red in anticipation.

~

Every sailor knows

what red skies in morning mean;

do you know something different?

Time is of essence

when our need is the greatest;

otherwise, it ebbs and flows.

~

Hopefully as time

goes by we finally learn

how to ride the waves.

Bringing our old selves

into a new year

means nothing basic will change.

~

Basically you’re right.

Sometimes our poems will post

on schedule… and sometimes not.

As this old year draws

to its long awaited close,

what good can we say of it?

~

The answers vary,

but many would say they’re glad

to wish this old year goodbye.