The sheen of sun on winter trees,
the gentle scrish of frost underfoot,
the taste of ice crystals and
the moss on which they grew,
the smell of rotted cabbage

The subtle sinking into
the movement of the moment,
the easy harmonizing
of glance and gesture,
the flash appreciation of a color palette,
the warmth that radiates
from trunks of trees

These are the gifts of the day
and the new year,
gifts, like manna,
collectible every day,
nourishing the present,
allowing tomorrow’s hunger
to fend for itself.

©Wendy Mulhern
January 2, 2016