Another end of year has trundled in at last - 
Dawned is far too genial a word to use for what’s been a blast 
Of a year, of our lifetimes, of living memory too they say 
So on this blessed December day, I’m wishing it all away! 

May the Corona perish in the gentle warmth of spring 
Helped along by its archnemesis, the grand old vaccine. 
May the dear departed find rest and cosmic grace;
May their earth-bound loved ones begin to make their peace 
With losses, grief and tender hearts;
With new endings and even newer starts. 

But most of all, let us hold on to the quietness within, 
The fruits of all those locked-down hours of introspection;
May that stillness guide us in the years to come,
To live a life more fulfilled, to let our purposes be done; 
To become intimate again with our humanity,
To learn to give, to love, to coexist more easily. 

Another end of year is upon us once again 
Nuanced as it is with a ragged, shadowy mein. 
Even in its greyness, it is ripe with the promise of better days; 
Of togetherness and laughter, of joy and celebration, 
Of birthdays, anniversaries and triumphant graduations. 

May 2022 be a soulful, wholesome distillate 
Of all the growing-up we’ve had to do over the last year;
May it help us recover our little magical moments
The joyful alchemy of all that we hold dear.

So family, friends, neighbours and those merrily blundering on this digital wire
Have yourselves a very merry Xmas and a happy new year.

De Khudai pe aman

*Title inspired from A Walk to Remember, a 2002 American coming of age romantic drama

**Read the highlighted words in sequence from top to bottom for the Blackout poem/ phrase within the poem. It reads: December 2020 a year bound with losses, but our humanity once again is ripe to recover all that we hold dear.