The end of the year

As the year draws to a close

There are ants in the kitchen and there is mould in the shower.

School is finishing, Christmas is coming, work is endlessly busy.

I’m tired of my Spotify playlist but I don’t know what new songs to add.

Besides, I should be listening to albums in correct track order, as the artist intended -

Shouldn’t I?

I should exercise more, write more, meditate more

But I can’t squeeze out the time.

I should spend quality time with our children and I should teach them to be more independent.

We should offer our thirteen-year-old son

A rite of passage to manhood – but what?

My head aches, my shoulders ache and I’ve been grinding my teeth.

I accidentally ordered six packs of mince pies from the supermarket instead of one

So now we have thirty-six mince pies.

I miss my friends – I should see them more.

I should be more grateful.

I am grateful.

None of us has caught COVID.

Behind the clouds the sky is still blue.

This morning I went for a walk.

My jaw stayed tight the whole time

But I smiled when I saw the oldies swimming in the sea even though it was cold.

I tell my children I love them and sometimes they say it back.

I’m at the computer – I’m writing.

I’m drinking tea and eating a mince pie.

I feel like I might cry but then I might laugh instead.

As the year draws to a close

There’s too much, not enough and everything in between.

I’m too much, not enough and everything in between.

I’m really looking forward to going camping.

The joy of the season