by Thomas Davis
The old year hung behind a hill
that sang with birds and bears and animals
as numerous as water plummeting over black rock
to a canyon far below a granite cliff.
The new year, over the hill, was shrouded in fog,
whiteness obscuring dark shapes
that could almost be made out inside the hint of brightness
from a sun that could not be seen.
We walked into the mountains with our two dogs,
the old year on the hill behind us,
the new year over the hill in front of us,
and we listened to the singing of the old year hill
and wondered why we have to keep going on
into a fog that could hold miracles
or terrors
or a continuation of rich songs now behind us.
fourwindowspress 
Wonderful Poem..
Blessings for 2016 and Beyond.. Sue
Sue Dreamwalker is a great visionary. Thank you.
Many thanks Thomas
Lovely images and message. Have a most Happy New Year.
Thank you theenglishprofessoratlarge. I was never purely an English professor, having been mostly in administration, although I taught a lot of English courses. I value contributions made to society and culture that you, at least to me, represent.
Thank you.
The idea of hills, behind and ahead conveys well the mix of feelings that come with a turn of the annual calendar. To me, you have elegantly captured that mix, though you seem to have made the future less attractive than the past. I wonder if that’s inevitable as we come to a certain age in life. I live among the foothills of mountains and this lovely poem speaks to me. May the new year bring many blessings to you and Ethel and your loved ones, Thomas.
I cannot even express how much I appreciate you, Cynthia. You are a wonderful poet.
Happy New Year to you and yours!!
Ah, willowdot. I admire you. Thanks.
Thank you the feeling is mutual 🙂
Wishing you many miracles and no terrors at all in the coming year, and of course an unquenchable spring of wonderful creativity.
Thanks Ben Naga. May your new year be as spectacular as fireworks lighting up a night sky in fountains of bright colors.
Thank you too. And an e-mail one of these days. In the meantime I hope you are both well. I also owe one to Betty, who was asking after both you and Ethel.