Something I wrote ten years ago on January 3rd 2006 – nothing changes?
January Tree
I’ve just realised it happens every year. Usually it gets overwhelmed by Christmas, or it’s just forgotten, smothered by January frost and burnt away by the low winter sun and the urgent need to get on with it.
But this year the restart was delayed by illness and crushing indecision.
Lost in the dark again. A couple more days lolling around in dressing gowns, still too much left over food in the cupboards to merit a serious expedition to the large world of other people out there.
There’s a decline that begins the day the clocks go back – late October. The world gets more claustrophobic every day, the darkness comes and it stays.
At first I think I can beat it – keep busy, have a book launch, start worrying about Christmas, the essential festival of light and unfettered stuffing; like a willing goose, turn yourself into pate. Swill it down with ferments of fruit and grain, buy presents. Can’t afford it? What the hell, max the plastic.
Then – the day – the darkest day and the day filled with the most light and the most abandon – no buses to catch or cars to drive, no limits, no mercy to your lives.
Loved ones come and go, bins overflow. ‘Thank God it’s all over.’
All over.
All over.
Crisp New Year
except it’s not
it’s wet and not cold enough
and the places you’ve been
stay with you
and make you cough and moan
Get a grip on yourself
Get a grip
So you do
and you notice
the nights lightening
the days’ cool sun returning
– reviving.
And you return
You are you again
but you are a different you
an evolved through pain
and darkness you
A new you
A happy new you
But then again
Everything changes
it’s always the same,
it all rearranges
no-one’s to blame