December 31 (poetry)

the seconds pass
with scrutiny reserved
for winter nights like these
illuminated still
in flaking green and red

the grey of a white
christmas past
unfrozen curbside
dark and briny
pools in asphalt hollows

and beneath the many-throated
call of eager lips intoxicated
with the advent of the new
the selfsame seconds
pass as passed unremarked

and just as unbefitting
of such dizzy cheer