As the old year slinks away into the night
I will throw my shoes at its shadow
Shaking the dusty months from my clothes,
I will wear my cap and shirt inside out
So the old minutes and seconds can’t cling
Like a bad smell
I will salt the earth where the previous days
Stretched on and on
Assuring they will not
Follow me into the new year
When the New Years Eve bonfire is burning
I will gather the bitter herbs
And walk counter clock wise into the previous moments
Casting the hated bouquet into the flame
Leaving its acrid taste behind
With the smell of its grief and sorrow
Only then will I wreath my head with four leaf clovers
Fill my pockets with new pennies
And my trunks with rabbit’s feet and horseshoes
And walk bravely into the coming year
Head held high and with cheerful optimism
I will greet the new day
thecourseofourseasons 
lovely metaphors, lovely writing 🙂
Kathleen, I just love this poem. I’d love to post it on my blog (with credit and linkback, of course), if you wouldn’t mind….
Jill, I am thrilled that you would do that – and yes, I would be happy for you to share it on your blog. Thanks so much and happy new year to you and yours – K
Thanks!! I really love it!
such a fierce and determined spirit to this one… I hope the coming year is chock full of good things and blessings for you!
And for you as well – *hugs*
I love that you ‘will throw my shoes at its shadow’ heh-heh 🙂
Thanks, Polly – K
..a delicate read and wonderful offering for the coming of new year.. happy new year.. smiles..
Thank you and happy 2013 to you too. K
I am loving this and the optimism here. Especially love the idea of throwing my shoes at last year’s shadow. Excellent!
Thanks Lori and thanks again for sharing this poem. Happy 2013! K
This is brilliant, I love it. Happy New Year !
Happy New Year to you too – Thanks so much. K
I never heard of any of these traditions. Thanks for knitting them into such a lovely poem. Thinking there were a couple of shadows in this past year I ‘d like to throw my shoes at.
Sometimes throwing shoes seems like a good response, doesn’t it. I am happy you dropped by and appreciate your comment. K
I like the cap and shirt line and how you connect it with change as well as the reference to new pennies. I love brand new pennies 🙂 Nicely done
Thanks Gretchen – I am happy you liked it. And I love bright new copper pennies too! K
I like very much the confident, declarative tone presenting the comprehensive collection of good luck mojos! Very nicely done.
Thanks so much – happy you liked it – K
I think you about covered all the superstitions! I like “throwing the hated bouquet into the flame” – great way to bring closure to the old year.
Nancy
Years ago did a new years ritual of writing all the bad things from the previous year on small scraps of paper and then burning them – there is a sort of release and renewal in fire. Might be a little dangerous this year! Oh well – all in the past year now- on to better things – thanks Nancy! K
I would gladly follow you into this kind of new year !!!!! one with hope in every smile!!
And I wish for you a smile filled 2013! K
I love the idea of casting the hated bouquet into the fire and greeting the new year with hope and cheers ~ Wishing you Happy New Year ~
Thank you Grace – hope this new year brings you all good things. K
ha love it…the throwing of the shoes…the wearing clothes inside out so th eold minutes wont cling….very cool…love the fourleaf headdress and new pennies…ha..and all things new…happy new year k
Thanks, Brian. I am always happy when you find my sense of humor in my poems! All the best to you and yours in 2013. K
That’s a wonderful way to meet the new year. I hope it’s a great one!
Thanks Laurie! Happy 2013 to you and yours. K
i like the optimism and the not-looking-back spirit here…a good way to start the new year, leaving the burdens behind.. happy new year to you kathleen
Happy new year to you too, Claudia. Hope it is filled with good things for you and yours. K