A Poem for 2020

[Listen to an audio version of this blog here.]

At the end of every year, I write a poem for the year that is coming to a close. 2020 was unlike any year, but any year is unlike any year. And a year is nothing more than an arbitrary measure of time, anyway. May all your years be filled with enough joy to make them worthwhile and enough pain to keep you humble. As we turn the page to 2021, let’s remember that our problems are “sitting shotgun” and there is no good way to outrun them. Let’s be kind to ourselves and everyone else. Let’s put our phones down and laugh with the people who matter. Let’s be grateful for small things while also striving toward bigger ones. Let’s shun complacency and embrace gratitude. Let’s hold ourselves accountable and give second chances. Let’s all be and do better. That’s the entire point of this thing called life.

I hope you enjoy my poem.

2020

the year we all sat on our hands

grew fat with rage

covered our faces and

shunned each other through screens

learned sometimes

it’s best to not say anything

the year of too many mouths

talking too loudly