January was named for Janus, the God of new beginnings and gateways, who had two faces. One looking back to the old year and the other looking forward to the new year. It is tradition that we cast away the trappings and events of the previous year and look forward to the new one with hope.
I think that could be an unattainable goal. If you have experienced great joy over the Christmas holiday then you are absolutely coming down from a love and food high and the New Year can be a non event. If your year starts with sorrow, you will experience misery every January thereafter.
January holds little excitement in the Northern Hemisphere. Cold, snow and freezing weather for most. Even in a sub tropical climate like Florida it can be chilly. I often wonder if those living in the Southern Hemisphere experience the same feeling in July. Hmmmmm!
This Haiku best describes my feeling every January.
January
Sunshine does not come
The Sky is grey and moody
A feeling of gloom
Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing ©
In response to D'Verse Poets Haibun Monday hosted by Kim
Description of January plus a Haiku on a season
I relate to your feeling on the coming to depressing colds after a food high.
Thanks! Yes it’s tough isn’t it? 🙂
January is very gloomy and cold here in Toronto. I feel you on the gloomy and dreary days of January.
I live in the Sunshine State but I still find January a dreary month! What’s wrong with me??😎
If it could just be some snow I could cope with the darkness…
Yes that would make for a lively landscape 🙂
Not much to say for January, is there? Love your haiku.
Yep! Thanks Bev 🙂
Here in Ontario, winter loses it lustre in January, with spring seeming so far away. Your haiku describes it exactly.
Thanks V.J. That’s usually how my mind sees the world in January, even though the sun may be shining 😔 I have to work on that. I hope the grayness doesn’t depress you.
Hard not to be depressed by it, I think. A few sunny days helps.
Even sunny days can feel like January gloom.
They certainly do!
so much i enjoy from your haibun Christine. that if we start with a lovely January we will continue to have many more lovely January’s, i like the positive tome of your haibun. though cold and dreary the weather may be, we can make the environment around us different with our warmth and energy. here’s to a great January! when i lived in Auckland it was bizarre, we did Christmas in July and wore shorts for Christmas in December.
I never do well in January Gina. I did lose my mother many years ago in January so that is likely why 😢. Yes isn’t it funny how the weather can affect how we perceive the world. I need to be more positive this time of year. I will work on it! 👍💕
I am so sorry to hear about your mother, yes i feel the same way about August, it is how we perceive the world, we can;t help it though but we can take steps to not be so overwhelmed. hugs to you, i pray let January be gentle and patient with you.
You are so kind Gina. Thank you 💕
Lovely haiku!
Thank you! Happy January! 💕
To you too, Christine! 💞
I enjoyed your ponderings on January, Christine. It’s interesting that the Roman gods are also very human, especially Janus looking back to the old year and forward to the new. I agree with you that casting away trappings and events of the previous year and looking forward with hope can, for many of us, seem unattainable. Your haiku expresses that well.
Thank you for this challenge Kim. I’m definitely working on my attitude this January. I cannot be a slave to if anymore 💕
An Australian Haiku for you Christine
JANUARY
Cloudless happy days
Sunlight kisses everything
Feeling warm within — Ivor Steven
I love that Ivor! I should use that as my mantra 🙂💕
You’re are quite welcome, a bit of Geelong sand travelling around the world 😊🌍