December 30: Penultimate Day

On this penultimate day of the year, once again

I praise all that has comprised the past 12 months—

all the beauty and horror, all the challenge and ease,

all the speedy days and slow hours. all the sorrows,

all the joys, all glimpses of the world we prefigure,

all regrets felt and released, all good, all bad,

all I have forgotten, all I will always remember.

I praise all because, without praise, I have no song;

and without song, there can be no healing, no me!