New Years: Always Trite but True

I.

Sitting on the can at midnight
I return what’s left
of whatever I was eating and drinking
to the underworld
where the remnants of my body will go
in the form of ash;

but not my memory or soul:
where that stuff goes
is something I’m unable to control
and won’t remember,
but is held in the hands of God
as a form of tender.

I will be again part of that Soul
to which all souls go
and from which they came:
first breath to last thought, if any,

until what remains 
is the tiniest essence of God.

II.

All poetry comes from the Spirit.
Each word you write is your soul.
That’s the final essence of your message
when whittled down 
and is not to be taken lightly.

Words, simply said, 
are nothing but the breathing of soul, 
surely curse or song…even rarely a benediction:
indicative of contradiction:
Heaven vs. Hell. 

But let there be no war. Let choirs sing 
songs white in frost-laden air: 
in summer, bubbled out like water; 
and as stars in the black of night. 

III.

Be a bird full of song and warbles. 
Being rich, gather up your marbles, 
your most precious gifts,
then give all away in your song. 

Like a bee, live your life as a migrant,
going plant by plant, and happily flower to flower, 
supporting production of honey
and the growth of fruit.

But discard any buzzing aloud. 
Be yourself. Be honest.  
The wealth you give away is yourself,
even if a song. 

Like the sun, shine the night into day.
Give away what you have to give. 
That is your job. 
Let another throw it away.

Most of all: be kind. 
That’s what love, after all, is about.  
Address the need that you see,
even if a dare. 

And know you may be hurt. That’s the price of care.
You’re, in a way, the canary in the mine.
So take your time.
No one’s asking you to rush

and it does take time
to fully express your love.
Just be kind. Be kind. 
Don’t worry about the good you do. 

Live each day as if it’s the last. 
Nonetheless, make plans
as if you’re going to live forever. 
Of course, you won’t.

But maybe, the grace you’ve shared
will provide sufficient space and enough fresh air
to make someone living on earth
believe it’s worth it.