Blue Monday

Today is apparently the most depressing day of the year. Not so, say I.

You will try to squash us,
by tempting deprived tastebuds with
golden caramel chocolates and
leftover Christmas panettone,
goading our unrealistic resolutions to
give up a food group.
You will pour rain, cold and unrelenting
on coats bought in the sales and
soak our trouser hems with a smile on your face.
You will cloud the sky with doubt,
and make us feel our lowest when
a week ago we were aglow with newness,
a rosy cocoon of promise and wellbeing.
We will fight you, though
with endless cups of steaming tea,
and pull out our emergency store of
carrots and crackers;
you will lead us not into temptation.
We will brandish overpriced umbrellas and
smile against the lashing rain as we listen
to our new records bought as gifts,
in our new earphones, bought as presents,
as you try to smite us.
We will make broad, bubbling vats of
warming stews and casseroles,
using healthy ingredients and
food to fight off colds.
We will not let you defeat us,
we will think of brightness, beauty, and truth
and be yellows, purples, lime greens
and look for other days
amidst your blue, blue, blue,
Blue Monday.