Poem of the Month: January 2002

The dream changes at midnight
when I begin to peel the year
like ripe fruit, letting old
mistakes and bitter regrets fall
away in cupped segments like rough
rind. I hold tight to the intent
to master this annual birth, this
time learning to forgive the old
wounds, celebrate the common joys.
It takes a gentle hand to undo
the layers, bare the tender flesh
and never damage beyond a bruise.
There is little time for standing
still. I move into the new year
sticky and fragrant with the scent
of earth and sun and hope on my
hands, and the urge to mix tart
pulp with sweet cream, letting
the juice drip from my fingers
and chin without apology.

- Amy Christman

Journal prompts:

• This poem was written from a word game Amy plays with her writing group. She was given ten words and told to compose them into a poem. The words are: common, cream, birth, forgive, peel, still, master, ripe, midnight, never. Try your own poem.
• Make up your own "juicy word" bowl or pouch and draw a few words from it. Incorporate these words into a write or a poem.
• What is different about you in 2002?
• If you could choose three things to focus on in 2002, what would they be? Write an intention or vision statement. Make it vivid and detailed.