Reimagining The New Year

I didn’t rearrange the holidays

They rearranged themselves.

Christmas used to come

Before a slack week of waiting

For the New Year to begin.

Now Christmas takes its place

As the end of my year

And on the day after

I start the new one.

The holiday, far from diminished,

It has grown as a celebration of

Family, gifts and singing, and

The sense of light returning.

All that's real enjoyment!

The first of January is noise

Hoopla, nachos and football

All of which have a place

In a year that’s one week old!

Charles B. Neff

December 24, 2014