January's Midnight Arrival


 

Fireworks told me

it was a new year.

 

I didn’t stay up to watch,

to welcome, to light sparklers

to pretend I had written resolutions.

 

From my bed I watched

flashes through the bedroom curtain,

heard explosions, and wondered

how much debris the sun would expose.

 

I did talk to Mother God, yes Mother God.

We’d spent a lot of time together the last

few months as I nursed battle wounds,

and collected new scars.

 

She never mentioned hell or asked me

to confess sins…She listened and held my hand

when the edge was as close as a footstep.

 

Through the smoke of all the matches

and mini explosions assaulting the night

in frantic wishes a year could really arrive

unmolested by the old, I heard Mother God

whisper, “Optimism has always been the garden

you’ve replanted when agony uprooted the roses.”

 

 ©Susie Clevenger 2025

 What's Going On? ~ Being a Good Creature


 

 

 

 

Comments

Sherry Blue Sky said…
Oh Susie, this is so you! I love the conversation with Mother God, and the truth and strength in those closing lines about optimism relanting the garden. Do you find, as I do, that it is getting more difficult to muster that old hopefulness? A truly wonderful poem.
Truedessa said…
Optimism has always been the garden
you’ve replanted when agony uprooted the roses.”

That is a powerful bit of truth. It seems resilience is the secret to survival.
Fireblossom said…
She sounds like a Goddess worth listening to indeed. Here, the nearby firing of someone's automatic weapon convinced me to stay away from windows. Yeah, that's how they celebrate where I live. Whee.
Jae Rose said…
What a beautiful poem - a prayer - I am glad Mother God listened - best wishes to you - Jae
Sumana Roy said…
"... I heard Mother God / whisper, “Optimism has always been the garden /
you’ve replanted when agony uprooted the roses.”....The lines give me so much strength that I can't describe. The only way to survive and live. Beautiful, Susie.
Mary said…
A beautiful poem, Susie. I like the idea of a Mother God who doesn't ask a person to confess sins but just holds one's hand. I will carry that into the new year.