if its christmas, it's calendar time

without fail, i get at least one wall calendar each year for the holidays. pulling a one-two sneak attack this year, my ireland calendar was followed by one of those square, tear off calendars. no sports facts or movie trivia here, though. instead, a poem a day. nice. 2005 begins with what's below.

it's a good start to a year that hasn't yet begun. i almost don't want to tear it off.

You Reading This, Be Ready

by William Stafford

Starting here, what do you want to remember?
How sunlight creeps along a shinging floor?
What scent of old wood hovers, what softened
sound from outside fills the air?
Will you ever bring a better gift for the world
than the breathing respect that you carry
wherever you go right now? Are you waiting
for time to show you some better thoughts?
When you turn around, starting here, lift this
new glimpse that you found; carry into evening
all that you want from this day. This interval you spent
reading or hearing this, keep it for life--
What can anyone give you greater than now,
starting here, right in this room, when you turn around?