since I didn't see you on the day, here is my poem for this year:
Jazz (A Variation)
by Lorie Miseck
A minor key swings open the blue door
of the heart. Brassed and unhinged
sound unwinds. Sunset slides
down the day’s spine. Slides down to
the hour of smoke and wine,
to artless sway of belonging.
To the one, to the lonely, to the only
to each of us held in
evening’s aching arms. Listen
to the division of chord and time.
And time again. Listen. Listen,
we take our night with one part wisdom
and five parts song.
And the darkness goes on for miles.