Between Solstice and New Years Day

It is a broader expanse next year,

somehow, the last narrowed

even if we spin in our rotation

tipping towards and away

in order once again, a marking of days.

Ancients looked at the same sky

sunrise shadow marking a turn between rocks

or atomic clocks the more arbitrary second

requiring constant adjustment and "leap."

Is this a leap year, Pope Gregory?

We all celebrated a leap birthday

(the original one for us)

leaping to life from clay

before settling as ash.

New Years party balloon

off into the sky, shrinking on the floor

popped with the champagne.

Take the leap.

Phil Specht on Dec 27, 2009 11:44 AM EST