I eschew resolution-making because it inherently implies wrongness. Instead, I relish in what went right. I take account of the goodness and delight I’ve experienced and look forward to ways I can expand those things. I recount the helpers and leaders who’ve made my circle, my community, and my life better; then I look for ways to steal their ideas and mold them into my own good works. I bask with wonder at the many ways my body helped me accomplish all that it did, and then promise to love it better and respect myself more. I take stock of the knowledge I’ve garnered in the last twelve months and offer loving appreciation to my teachers. I embrace the fact that so many people love me and I love so many people back. And I give thanks. Because I am alive, and have been for 64 years. That in itself is an amazing thing to behold.
Wow, wow, wow! This is such an incredible comment Kim, I'm so thrilled to have discussions like this under my poem. I think there's something we can all take from here; relishing in what went right, expansion, community. 'I am alive, and have been for 64 years.' Yes! That IS an amazing thing to behold.
I’m so glad, Anagha. Conversations between generations are vital in these tense times. I have so much to learn from those older and younger than me. I want to keep growing and learning and I hope the my life’s lessons will occasionally strike a chord with others. I love reading other’s work and having others read mine! Happy New Year!
Jumping in on your wonderful commentary, Kim and Anagha. I just have to say that I love when people of different generations can treat each other as equals. We all entered this world as bewildered babies, and we will all depart it (whether it's truly the "end" or not) in much the same way. Being able to reach out and teach whatever we can to those whose journey happened to start in a different year or decade than our own is a wonderful expression of human love. It's such a joy to witness it in lieu of gatekeeping or agist talk.
And this is how it starts. I talk to Anagha, she shares with me, you join in the fun and we have a multi-generational, multicultural on-line party! It is good.
Your willingness to step back and try to understand a cultural institution you don't even participate in shows your evolved spirit :-) And your writing is as beautiful as ever.
Beautiful poem! I studied archaeology in college, and it has been a life-long interest of mine, so this looking back to try to understand better where we are now is very familiar to me. I'm not generally a fan of New Year's Resolutions. But I do love a fresh start. No matter that I'm not a full-time student anymore, September will always feel like the real new year to me. A brand new notebook and special pen are the best resolution of all. Thanks for this. It's really lovely and inspiring.
There's something so exciting about looking back at this vast human expanse of history, right? I find it awe-inspiring and humbling at once. And yes, here's to fresh starts! And September resolutions. I'm so glad you liked this piece, Tara.
Beautiful poem, Anagha! I've been getting away from resolutions, as well, and allowing myself to just "be" a bit more this year. Also came across your work at a great time, as I've been embracing poetry more (reading/writing) embracing the creative inspiration that results. Thank you for sharing.
Here's to allowing ourselves to just be, Brina! I'm so glad you're embracing poetry more; and I hope you're able to find some creative inspiration over here.
Wow, Anagha, it's such a pleasure to read your creations. They are comforting and sophisticated, magical and colorful. I have a playlist which I named "endings and beginnings" and when I came across that phrase in your poem, I felt a little chill, a little connection with you over a particular unusual wording we both chose at different times and places, before we had heard of one another. Every day I learn a little bit more about poetry, and what seems to becoming more and more clear is that human connection is the most valuable thing it can offer. From feelings to thoughts to words and back again, from poet to reader, where both are equally important in the significance of the poetry. It's a spectacular experience.
Ah this comment made my day Mike! The endings and beginnings playlist sounds just like my kind of thing. These chance connections are really something aren’t they? It’s really nice to be able to find them on the internet of all places. And I agree. Human connection is what it’s all about; both poetry and life 💙 thanks for reading and dropping this comment Mike
This poem and overall reflection was so gorgeous and gentle. I feel like it captures that timid human yearning for beauty, to start all over again, perfectly. Thank you for sharing this with us 🫶🏽
I enjoyed reading this so much, Anagha. I have developed an aversion to self-optimizing so this landed on me! Why the rush to new new new and why the need to change change change ourselves? I appreciate the idea of a bright shiny new year but not to fix or resolve anything - I like to enter it with reflection, thinking back and wondering what can I expand on from the teachings of last year?
I eschew resolution-making because it inherently implies wrongness. Instead, I relish in what went right. I take account of the goodness and delight I’ve experienced and look forward to ways I can expand those things. I recount the helpers and leaders who’ve made my circle, my community, and my life better; then I look for ways to steal their ideas and mold them into my own good works. I bask with wonder at the many ways my body helped me accomplish all that it did, and then promise to love it better and respect myself more. I take stock of the knowledge I’ve garnered in the last twelve months and offer loving appreciation to my teachers. I embrace the fact that so many people love me and I love so many people back. And I give thanks. Because I am alive, and have been for 64 years. That in itself is an amazing thing to behold.
Wow, wow, wow! This is such an incredible comment Kim, I'm so thrilled to have discussions like this under my poem. I think there's something we can all take from here; relishing in what went right, expansion, community. 'I am alive, and have been for 64 years.' Yes! That IS an amazing thing to behold.
I’m so glad, Anagha. Conversations between generations are vital in these tense times. I have so much to learn from those older and younger than me. I want to keep growing and learning and I hope the my life’s lessons will occasionally strike a chord with others. I love reading other’s work and having others read mine! Happy New Year!
Jumping in on your wonderful commentary, Kim and Anagha. I just have to say that I love when people of different generations can treat each other as equals. We all entered this world as bewildered babies, and we will all depart it (whether it's truly the "end" or not) in much the same way. Being able to reach out and teach whatever we can to those whose journey happened to start in a different year or decade than our own is a wonderful expression of human love. It's such a joy to witness it in lieu of gatekeeping or agist talk.
And this is how it starts. I talk to Anagha, she shares with me, you join in the fun and we have a multi-generational, multicultural on-line party! It is good.
Likewise Kim!
Your willingness to step back and try to understand a cultural institution you don't even participate in shows your evolved spirit :-) And your writing is as beautiful as ever.
You’re too kind 😭
Beautiful poem! I studied archaeology in college, and it has been a life-long interest of mine, so this looking back to try to understand better where we are now is very familiar to me. I'm not generally a fan of New Year's Resolutions. But I do love a fresh start. No matter that I'm not a full-time student anymore, September will always feel like the real new year to me. A brand new notebook and special pen are the best resolution of all. Thanks for this. It's really lovely and inspiring.
There's something so exciting about looking back at this vast human expanse of history, right? I find it awe-inspiring and humbling at once. And yes, here's to fresh starts! And September resolutions. I'm so glad you liked this piece, Tara.
Beautiful poem, Anagha! I've been getting away from resolutions, as well, and allowing myself to just "be" a bit more this year. Also came across your work at a great time, as I've been embracing poetry more (reading/writing) embracing the creative inspiration that results. Thank you for sharing.
Here's to allowing ourselves to just be, Brina! I'm so glad you're embracing poetry more; and I hope you're able to find some creative inspiration over here.
Wow, Anagha, it's such a pleasure to read your creations. They are comforting and sophisticated, magical and colorful. I have a playlist which I named "endings and beginnings" and when I came across that phrase in your poem, I felt a little chill, a little connection with you over a particular unusual wording we both chose at different times and places, before we had heard of one another. Every day I learn a little bit more about poetry, and what seems to becoming more and more clear is that human connection is the most valuable thing it can offer. From feelings to thoughts to words and back again, from poet to reader, where both are equally important in the significance of the poetry. It's a spectacular experience.
Ah this comment made my day Mike! The endings and beginnings playlist sounds just like my kind of thing. These chance connections are really something aren’t they? It’s really nice to be able to find them on the internet of all places. And I agree. Human connection is what it’s all about; both poetry and life 💙 thanks for reading and dropping this comment Mike
The new moon
In the old moon's arms,
Every 27.322 days
Not an exact fit
Like pants, skirts, shoes.
Lives
So we make do.
Beautiful! You should make this a post.
And so I will. Thanks Anagha.
Lovely poem Anagha! Loved the imagery you've used all through... PS. I am one who's never done resolutions, still don't. Not even sure why?
Thank you Reena 🌸
And I’ve never really done them either! I couldn’t bring myself to fully commit or lean in to a resolution, I think.
Something about too many rules, and who needs another -- perhaps it's an Indian woman thing ;-)
I completely get you! We’ve already grown up with enough rules, why add another
A snake eating its tail! Beautiful!
Thank you and thanks for reading Priya! 💙
This poem and overall reflection was so gorgeous and gentle. I feel like it captures that timid human yearning for beauty, to start all over again, perfectly. Thank you for sharing this with us 🫶🏽
Thanks for reading and sharing Caitlin ‘timid human yearning for beauty’ beautiful!
I enjoyed reading this so much, Anagha. I have developed an aversion to self-optimizing so this landed on me! Why the rush to new new new and why the need to change change change ourselves? I appreciate the idea of a bright shiny new year but not to fix or resolve anything - I like to enter it with reflection, thinking back and wondering what can I expand on from the teachings of last year?
Your poem here is gorgeous!
Thank you Allison! And I agree, the rush to self optimise is exhaustinggggg
Wow, very good