By Jean Ponzi
Onward! into a New Year
Behold the vast and open space
Of twenty-ought-eleven!
Another cycle’s starting-place
En route to heck or heaven.
It’s time for reinvigoratin’
Values dear that guide my way
And for reconfiguratin’
How I dance the path, each day.
Because some habits, methods, thinking
Tend to leak efficiency
Progress depends on my un-kinking
Modus operandi me.
What needs to change? What should I shift
In how I get from A to Zed?
How can I better use each gift?
And better act from heart, not head?
Do I make a leap dramatic?
Do I, dogged, stumble through?
Should I pilot automatic –
Or just drop my load on you?
If I drive life, super-high way,
I may miss some lovely views-full
If I toddle down a byway (like the tortoise)
Can I still be useful?
I believe it’s simple, really,
Although pace and pep may vary,
If I stay alert and feel-y,
Keep my cool – like January –
I’ll accomplish what I’m here for,
As the human I aspire to be:
Source of strength and cheer for others
And a self who’s fun for me!
Know: No secret formulaic pill,
No elaborate New Year’s plan
Trumps good ole’ day-by-dayic will.
Resolved: to do the best I can,
Grateful to be one who accepts
Both up and downs, the ebb and flow,
To love how small, persistent steps
Take me where I want to go.
Jean Ponzi hosts the enviro-talk show “Earthworms” Mondays 7-8 p.m. on FM-88 KDHX, or catch an archived show at www.kdhx.org.