Last Year

Last year I finally got a job
and finally changed my name.
I’ve changed a little—or a lot—
but mostly I’ve stayed the same.

Last year three tropic hurricanes
drenched the evening news,
and everyone (as always) blamed
their problems on the Jews.

Last year the very sun went out
and all in darkness paused.
The deafening cosmic silence drowned
our terrestrial applause.

Last year destroyed, created, lied,
recycled, trashed, and mended.
Now we’ve another stage to climb
until this year has ended.

︎