Chinese takeout
whiskey sour, two cherries
living room recliner
not yet in full-on mode
discussions of recent past
upcoming future
plans, goals, objectives abstract
in low-resolution
wistful recollections
glad-its-over conversations
annual ‘old’ sounds-better rebuke –
same auld, same auld
old acquaintances unforgotten
checking in/on via social media
I’m fine/have a happy
memes on not sticking with…
They who are of certain vintage
forgotten until various reminders
to do just so crop up
incessantly, as they should
‘we need to get together’
‘been too long’
‘let’s do dinner/drinks/coffee’
all duly noted as cyber reminders

As clock and calendar creep on
chair footrest stays put, down
less relaxation overtake
clock-watching urges, older body
At midnight the song is sung
proclamation as fact
not reflective question, as written
should they be forgot, not
At midnight once each year
mental warehouses, inventoried
plans grandiose, mundane
decreed with boozy solemnity
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne!
We’ll shake the year gone like
metaphysical Etch-A-Sketch,
for auld lang syne, my dear
for auld lang mine
– Mark L. Lucker
© 2019
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