Some holidays lend themselves to some mighty fine poetry. New Year’s unique blend of celebration, reflection and anticipation has inspired many a poet over the years. Here’s a brief selection of New Year’s poems, all courtesy of the Poetry Foundation website…

• To the New Year – W.S. Merwin
• Burning the New Year – Naomi Shihab Nye
• To the Garbage Collectors in Bloomington, Indiana, the First Pickup of the New Year – Philip Appleman
• A Pumpkin at New Year’s – Sandra McPherson
• December 31st – Richard Hoffman
• After the Gentle Poet Kobayashi Issa – Robert Hass

Peach drop photo courtesy of j valas images via Flickr

Our best to you and yours!  As a small gift, here are a few Thanksgiving poems for you courtesy of the Poetry Foundation.

• The New-England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day [Lydia Maria Child]
• Butter [Elizabeth Alexander]
• Yam [Bruce Guernsey]
• My Triumph [John Greenleaf Whittier]
• When the Frost is Off the Punkin [James Whitcomb Riley]
• The Gift Outright [Robert Frost]