I Am Swimming Into A New Year

i am swimming into a new year
and the years past wash away
like a river
that i test with my toes
like shower tears like
all my lapsed desires and
it will be hard to let go
of what i dreamt for myself
from myself
when i was last year and
this year and today
even today but
i am swimming into a new year
and i ask what i seek and
i shape to carry me

This poem is borne from “i am running into a new year” by Lucille Clifton.