The new year is a road of curiosities and
surprises, possibilities at every turn. Open
your eyes wide and lean into the curves. Feel
the wind against your skin and hold your breath
for sudden drops and fast declines. Look left
to see laurel mantling the mountainside,
right to take in the striped Painted Turtle resting
on river’s rocks. Glance in your rear-view mirror,
the sky ablaze with persimmons and honey,
kumquats, and malted milk. The year’s
opportunities are as thick as big toe’s old nail
polish, as sweet and layered as Christmas baklava.
Perhaps white rainbows will frequent rainy skies
this year, maybe an okapi’s scented hoofprints
will appear on your path.
Published: Verse Virtual, 2024