The year began on a joyful note,
Fete from last year's feast,
Hung heavy in the air,
Like jowl of a retired belly,
Among the revelers, expectancy,
Wishes flew on flippant wings,

She came with the rains,
Stole his heart from the start,
A history of the past,
Coddle, no stranger to fuss,
More nagging than haggling,
He put a penny of her yearning.


A...