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New Year Old Canvas


    New Year Old Canvas

    New brushes are clean
    New Pallettes arrive
    New paints are prepared
    A new year is here
    Old brushes are tossed
    Old paint flakes away
    But the canvas stays
    Are we so callow
    So blindly naive?
    The canvas remains
    Its fabric rotted
    Fresh paints and brushes
    Resolutions bright
    So woeful
    So futile
    With fabric soiled
    So sip champagne
    Be of good cheer
    Lest new canvas found
    No happy new year

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Marikate Kingston

Date: 8/5/2025 10:45:00 PM

Just don't spill champagne on your canvas, and keep plugging away. We don't need a splattered pallette, I think we already have one. Life is a canvas in so many ways. I paint and I can relate to this poem and it's metaphors. The world seems to have a lot of rotted fabric now, upsetting. We really need new "pallettes and fresh paints and brushes" to come around" again.

Robert Gorelick
Date: 8/6/2025 9:35:00 AM

If we don't use similes to describe New Years then what's a meta-for? Enjoyed immensely, Robert

Ink Empress

Date: 1/26/2024 4:16:00 AM

What a deeply meaningful poem this is dear robert, i agree “ are we too naive” somethings just remain despite new year new resolutions etc, like youv said here “ new brushes new palettes but old canvas “ what a poetic way to deliver this! Pleasure reading your soulful write: i hope 2024 is treating you well so far: sending you light always

Robert Gorelick
Date: 2/14/2024 9:04:00 AM

I hope there comes a day when an open heart overcomes bitterness and contempt. But as time marches on, the human condition remains the same. Thank you for your visit and light, Ink Empress. Best regards, Robert

The Situation

Date: 1/2/2024 6:07:00 PM

It was kind of early to celebrate then. But with all the planning involved here it was a must.

Robert Gorelick
Date: 2/14/2024 9:05:00 AM

Thank you for your visit, TS.

Christina Bowring

Date: 12/29/2023 2:17:00 AM

This is so well written Robert and very reflective too. So clever and unique for new year. I love the imagery especially with the canvas rotted and the futility of new paint adorning it. You are such a wonderful, talented poet and I look forward to reading more of your work next year. A happy new year Robert and may we all find a new canvas! :):)

Robert Gorelick
Date: 1/2/2024 2:45:00 PM

Your words are extremely well taken and gratefully received. I'm glad you appreciated the analogy. I only regret that it had to be made. Especially embarking upon a new year which doesn't seem to offer a great deal to be opptomistic about. Robert

Tom Woody

Date: 12/27/2023 3:47:00 PM

Nice analogy Bob!

Robert Gorelick
Date: 1/2/2024 2:42:00 PM

Thank you, I'm just sorry such analogies beg to be made. Robert

Yolanda Nicholsen

Date: 12/23/2023 5:55:00 AM

lovely write adored reading your work.

Robert Gorelick
Date: 12/23/2023 10:45:00 AM

Thank you, Yolanda, for your encouragement. All my best, Robert

I Am Anaya

Date: 12/19/2023 12:54:00 PM

Wow! I love all of this. Faving You know how to twist things just right into beautiful poetry, Robert.

Robert Gorelick
Date: 12/23/2023 10:44:00 AM

Glad you enjoyed my twisting techniques. Thank you for your support Anaya! Robert

Ink Empress

Date: 12/13/2023 11:43:00 PM

This has such a lyrical cadence to it. I absolutely love the way it flows and how you’ve written so many lines like “ Are we so callow So blindly naive? The canvas remains Its fabric rotted” so deeply moving and powerful. “ So sip champagne Be of good cheer” definitely sounds like a perfect plan. Pleasure reading this anacreontic verse. Best wishes for the contest

Robert Gorelick
Date: 12/14/2023 8:12:00 AM

Pleased you enjoyed the writing and the meaning behind it. All my best, Robert