a prayer for the new year

God I give you 

last year

with its close calls

rescues

traps and sorrows

collapses and renewals

crises and joys

stains and scars

and I hope somehow

I lived it well

in your wise eyes.

I give you this new year

with all its bright and shine

caution and hope

I lift it high up to you now

when it has barely broken the horizon

take it up into your hands

along with my soul

look them over with your keen eye

trim away the chaff

the chaos

the reticence

and re-fire me to go

poised at the gate

fueled with hope

blackened with the burn marks from last year

but rich with the hard-won lessons

and ready to go again

as the planet is ready

for a new revolution around the sun  

there is much to learn,

adventures to welcome and not to fear

as I step onto your proving ground

knowing you post your angels everywhere

and that the same providence

that guided me through the last wild ride

is all still there

ever aware

on the watch

and worthy of my second-by-second trust.

O God

say the word

I’m ready to go

into the rising new year

even though

my knees might be shaking

a little 

from the old one.