Rung in the New Year having discovered how to get YouTube to work on my television via Ruku both of which items appear to be smarter than I am.  Via this, I was able to get the KTLA Tournament of Roses Parade watched without all the incessant commercial breaks taken by the other station that I will not name but choose not to watch… All of this to say that I got my tradition of the parade in and from that.. is this:

With the Clarity of 2020
by Michael Romani

On this first day of 2020
I'm looking forward with clarity
Out into the 21st Century
With courage, hope and sincerity

New Year's resolutions in place
And a dreamer's smile on my face
My best foot is put solidly forward
New changes coming to which I look toward

An origami crane brings its tranquility
As I take in the Rose Parade scenery
Through the years, it has meant a lot to me
All of this glorious beauty and pageantry

It hints at the path leading home
The selfies shown hint that I'm not alone
It's said that it takes a fantasy
But, I think its really down to faith and family

The marching bands strike up perfect cadence
While floral float dazzle in brilliance
The reminder given is to spend life living
With all the whimsy of love that is forgiving

There's a sense of closeness and community
That no matter where I am has meant much to me
This year's theme speaks on hope and equality
And this too means very much to the likes of me

As I think back on all the fabled history
Behind what has brought about all of this legacy
I think also on all the women whose lives I've shared
I can't help but think of a better reason to have cared

(c) January 1, 2020  Michael Romani
All Rights Reserved