The new year always makes me melancholy. The idea of having to start all over again is depressing, having been through it so many times in my life. I try to ignore it.
On New Year’s Eve, I shut the curtains on fireworks and revelry, read a book and listen to music. The next day is just another day. I’m ready to get on with things just as before.
I look forward to the libraries and infant schools re-opening, places where I spend most of my week singing songs, reciting nursery rhymes, listening to children read, and gleaning hope from the youngsters who will take over from us in the next decade.
old leaves cling to trees
until the wind scatters them
early snowdrops bloom
Kim M. Russell, 6th January 2020
My response to dVerse Poets Pub Haibun Monday: Beginning again
Björn is our host for the first haibun prompt of the new year and a new decade, welcoming us back from our brief hiatus. He reminds us that it is already almost a week since we started to write the year 2020, and the new year is still mostly a blank page with potential for greatness, as we have left last year in the trash.
He has given us an example of a haiku by Basho, which is about the new year and the need to clean the house to feel a beginning.
Björn would like us to write a haibun about any beginning, it could be the start of a journey, a new year’s resolution, the planting of seeds or simply the dawn of yet another day. As usual, we should limit the prose of the haibun to no more than a few paragraphs, and let the haiku align to nature and season.
What a beautiful haiku! I’m not really in the mood for resolutions at this time of year. Spring, or September – I have my fresh starts then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sarah. It was lovely to return to the infant school today and be greeted by smiling faces. And this morning, Ellen Face-messaged me with Lucas and he has learnt new words!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All those children are like little beginnings, and you are there to see it happen… what a wonderful way to start again.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Bjorn!
LikeLike
Such a lovely haiku
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Toni. How are you holding up?
LikeLike
The haiku with this made me smile, Kim. Just perfect. There is indeed hope in being with young children. Seeing the world through their eyes. And oh yes….I know what you mean. Many years I would just rather keep living and moving forward rather than recognizing that another full year has come and gone. I’d rather have the days blend into my life than have markers that stress the passing of time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lill. 🙂
LikeLike
At my age, every dawn is a new day, to be cherished or endured. Having 9 grandchildren from 4 months to 13 years old, we get the chance to stare into the eyes of tomorrow, and it does recharge us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nine grandchildren – that’s wonderful, Glenn!
LikeLike
Children always restore our faith and bring a smile. Beautiful Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Linda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your haiku. (I have similar thoughts about New Year’s Eve).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Bev!
LikeLike
Amazing how those flower shoots push through even in anticipation of the winter to come. Perhaps a good lesson for us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve had a very mild winter in the UK this year. But it’s only the beginning of January and we’ve been known to get snow at Easter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We often get a spring snow at the beginning of March, here in NC.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand the melancholy of the new year. I was happy to work this year and then go to bed early. The new hear will be there in the morning. Children bring joy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I went back for the fist time yesterday and was greeted by smiles!
LikeLike
Lovely to spend your week with young ones, who keep us young and hopeful. I, too, have my eye out for the first snowdrops.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve seen a tree bearing a few blossoms too! It’s been so mild over here. I just hope we don’t get a late heavy snow like we did two years ago when my grandson was born.
LikeLike
Totally felt this one. The hope wrapped with that lovely haiku is contagious. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also treat the festivities with disdain .. well written Kim !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did the same, as I always do: closed the curtains, switched off the phone, put in earphones to listen to my own music and read a book. Couldn’t work up much enthusiasm for a new beginning either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Luv that you center your self the way you do. The books, the songs the children: all motifs of continuity.
I find myself not as exiced as before about ghd fireworks and the hype, but yet the continuing into a new year, that i look to with gratefulness
Happy New Year
Thank you for dropping by my blog Kim
Much🎆love
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year and much love to you, Gillena!
LikeLike
Your Haiku is beautiful Kim. ☺️💕 Yes we can be like leaves clinging to the trees, hanging on for dear life until the wind carries us. I sometimes wish NYE was more of a day for reflection and meditation than a big celebration.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Christine. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
We think in a similar vein about New Years festivities. I admire your enthusiasm for the future and the ones who will usher it in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Debi.
LikeLike
A beautiful winter haiku Kim and lovely to hear the children and your grandson bring you such joy xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Xenia. I’m looking forward to my next visit with Ellen and Lucas. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a delight to work with children and see the world fresh through their eyes! Each day is a fresh start, sometimes we make too much of a new year 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
How many celebrations do we need to start the new year? I thought October 31 was enough. Yes, the haiku is lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a melancholy time of year. New Year beginning in the spring or in the fall makes more sense. 🙂
The haiku is lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Merril.
LikeLiked by 1 person