There is, perhaps, a moment
for looking back along the year,
calling to remembrance
the things that were unknown,
the things we thought might be
before events rolled out their tracks,
other possibilities extinguished
by emerging facts

There’s always time
for flashes of gratitude
for what has developed —
understanding, skills acquired,
brightening deepening streams of love

There’s less time for wistfulness
at things left behind —
the wind here blows strong and steady,
bearing us onward
in our present purpose.

©Wendy Mulhern
December 27, 2015