Winter’s War

You’re sneezing and you’re stuffully
and ache from bone to skin.
The winter night is cold without,
and you are cold within.

You build yourself a quilted fort
and pour a cup of tea -
you know to quickly win this war
good weaponry is key.

Chemical armaments consumed
you burrow in your keep
as tiny armies deep inside
do battle while you sleep.

New Year’s Day

The optimists cheer:
“Eat black eyed peas! They will bring you luck.”
The pessimists chastise:
“There is no magic today! It’s the same as yesterday.”

The pessimists are right.
Turning the calendar
doesn’t undo the past
and erase our mistakes
or relieve us of our responsibilities -
   yesterday’s debts are still unpaid
   yesterday’s problems are still unsolved
   yesterday’s failings are still unconquered

The pessimists are wrong.
Often the difference
between feeling trapped
and feeling free
is having an excuse to believe -
   that change can be made
   that solutions can be found
   that forgiveness can be earned

There is power in that.

Embrace it.
Claim it.
Snatch it up
and wring the magic from it until
good luck spills out
like foam from a champagne glass.