Reflections, On a Year Gone By

 I can scarce believe my eyes, as I look upon the tree,
all decked out in christmas gear, how can this be?
For one was there, not long ago, inside my living room.
Has a year gone by so fast?  Is christmas here so soon?

I reflect upon this year, silently, and alone,
as I, steeped in comfort, sit, inside my childhood home.
I think of where I wished to be, by this time, just last year.
I think of where I am, right now, and if I mind being here.

Oh, the highs, how high they were, and the lows so very low.
Three hundred sixty-five days have passed, how can this be so?
I ponder everything I've lost, and all that I have earned,
I concern myself with valuing everything I've learned.

Perhaps, it seems, I'm no better off, than I was last year.
I've still got my insecurities, and all my fears.
I've sunk to deeper depths, than ever I've explored,
and stayed down there, much longer than before.

Although, in these past 12 months, I've scaled much higher peaks,
and sometimes I stayed up there, for days or even weeks.
So, therefore, I must conclude, that I'm no worse for the wear.
I only hope I can say the same next year, when I get there.