The New Start

A man sits down at the kitchen table,
He looks out the window and sees rain.
Outside, the cold January air mixes with the damp
Stench of falling rain. The new year looks no
Different then any other day.

The man’s dog barks with joy, he comes to the table,
Wagging his tail in anticipation.
The dog’s bark asks for adventure.
Let’s go, in the world, the new world of the new
Year.

“Not today, boy. Tomorrow.” the man says.
Like a ghost, the steam from the man’s coffee wrapped
Around his nose, stay in it says, the scent of the
Warm bitter coffee pleased him.

The dog persisted, barking again,
Asking for freedom. Out there, not in
Here.
It’s out there, life.

“Not today, boy. Tomorrow.” The man says,
He looks into his cup of coffee,
Cream and sugar dance, lighting the liquid,
A pool of dissatisfaction or jubilation.
He looks waiting for an answer.

“Ronnie, what’re ya doin?” The man’s wife says,
As she walks into the kitchen from the dark hallway.
“You said you were going to be out there,
Joggin’ at the start of dawn. That was
Your new year’s resolution, last night,
That’s what you said. Well, it’s the new year,
And about two hours past dawn.”

“Don’t you see the rain?
I can’t go this morning,
Tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow.
That’s when I’ll start.”

“You said that last night,
Tomorrow
You said you would go out joggin’
Tomorrow.
But now tomorrow is today!”

“Don’t you see the rain?”

“I do, but there’s always an excuse.
If not tomorrow
If not today,
Then when?”

The man’s wife disappeared in the darkness of the hallway,
Returning to a chore, or life.
The man still sat, looking into his coffee,
Waiting for an answer.
The dog left into the darkness,
Only the kitchen light lit the dull
Morning of the new year.

Change isn’t about the new year,
It’s not about next year,
Next month,
Next week, or
Tomorrow.

Today became tomorrow,
Tomorrow became next week.
Next week became next month, and next year.

It’s not about waiting for the new year for a fresh start,
It’s about starting in the next moment, the next second.
It’s about today, it’s about now.
Even in the rain.