Doorways

On the last night of the year, 
my mother bids us open all windows 
and pull open all drawers, all cabinet 
doors. Then the children bang pot lids 
together to chase away the demons. 
We must fix our faces, smooth away 
frowns and master tears, because 
in ancient myth, Janus is the god of 
beginnings and endings. Before we leave 
through the back door of the year and 
enter through him into the next, 
we must step lightly, dropping our
burdens which will anyway always 
be there, at the threshold.