Remember when I wrote that my plan was to, “bounce gleefully into 2021.” Well, bouncing and running are related, at least in terms of the rate of forward motion. I heard this poem read on a CBC program and it immediately caught my attention.
I am running into a new year by Lucille Clifton:
i am running into a new year
and the old years blow back
like a wind
that i catch in my hair
like strong fingers like
all my old promises and
it will be hard to let go
of what i said to myself
about myself
when i was sixteen and
twentysix and thirtysix
even thirtysix but
i am running into a new year
and i beg what i love and
i leave to forgive me
taken from Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir 1969-1980. This book was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1988.
Can’t you just imagine that imagery of the old years blowing back like wind catching the hair? That’s how I imagine 2020 blowing back behind me as I bounce gleefully into 2021.
There were times, many times, in 2020 when I felt the best of life wasn’t moving forward. With some optimism now that the pandemic ‘should’ slowly begin to be dealt with, I’m focusing only on forward motion. That motion, both physical and emotional, is a means of evolving and a way of reaching ahead towards improved aspects of life.
So my lovelies, in this week ahead, may you bounce gleefully upon your own life’s road.
{I am planning a post that records a summation of a weeks worth of things that have brought me joy. I’m forewarning you since it may mean more than the almost-weekly post. Let’s be happy this new year.}
i’m glad you’re looking forward to this year. i try to have optimism, but seem unable to attain it. now, more than ever, i feel as if America has taken a path into a very dark place.
love the brick sidewalk image. it’s exceptional.
An interesting poem and photos of moving forward into the new year. I’m looking forward to getting my immune system back after chemo and getting the covid vaccine so I can get out shooting again. More immediately, I’m looking forward to January 20 when that traitor Trump will be out of office. I’m tired of living in a banana republic.
A great entry to look into 2021! Unfortunately, my spouse will be hobbling into 2021 for three weeks starting next Tuesday. It will bring new challenges well into July. I look forward to that forward motion as we dive into this together. The end result to the surgery is that we will once again enjoy our long walks together without the fear of a hip clunking. Thank you for sharing this bright post.
This is gorgeous, Diane. Yes to the running, yes to the old years like wind. Yes to the trails and cobbled paths. I hope we’ll all walk them again.