Debris from fear and anger uncontrolled.
Leftover expectations misinvested,
Hurts visited by others,
and those that I provoked.
Bits of self-absorption unprotested.
I lay them in a pile: my might-have-beens.
One by one, I shape with them an effigy -
my stunted best intentions,
my must-begin-agains -
and in my imperfection write the elegy.
By choice I lay them down:
my rightful unmet claims,
the unfilled aspirations once held dear:
and watch the flames convert
my año viejo sacrifice
into ash that sanctifies this coming year.
Leftover expectations misinvested,
Hurts visited by others,
and those that I provoked.
Bits of self-absorption unprotested.
I lay them in a pile: my might-have-beens.
One by one, I shape with them an effigy -
my stunted best intentions,
my must-begin-agains -
and in my imperfection write the elegy.
By choice I lay them down:
my rightful unmet claims,
the unfilled aspirations once held dear:
and watch the flames convert
my año viejo sacrifice
into ash that sanctifies this coming year.
-cs 123116
*In Ecuador, an effigy is built of the Old Year (Año Viejo),
then burnt on the stroke of midnight of December 31. 
Great imagery, Carol. Time to lay these things to rest. May their ashes nourish what is to come.
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