NEW YEAR’S DAY

00:01 A.M.

Dropped, the Ball orchestrated the Big Bang,

the constellations, the Square

& its ear-nose-and-throat-splitting invective.

Night effervesced. Then it was done.

Earth blackened on her molten stick.

Ancient cities dwindled into coals.

One by one, the lights went,

popping until the filament of the last bulb

spittled & singed its comet tail.

Not done— I was wrong.

An icicle leapt.

Plenitude crept into the congealed

circuitry of my blood.

Pine boughs laced with snow

whispered your name.

(from Paper Oranges, 2008)

© Carolyn Marie Souaid

BLESSING (a Cento*)

The world is calling out for the world.

In the throat, an endless mountain

words rising, the shapes unnatural,

a bluish bit of hush at the centre.

See the circling hawk: there is longing here.

*Acknowledgements:

The Rapids, Susan Gillis

To the River, Tim Lilburn

A Page from the Wonders of Life on Earth, Stephanie Bolster

A Walker in the City, Méira Cook

That Other Beauty, Karen Enns

#Souaid #NewYearsDay #poetry #cento #PaperOranges