The light of our candles

Best wishes for 2021

So, we say farewell to the year twenty twenty

Good riddance, Thank God, and please disappear

It has hardly been an abundance of plenty

And I hope ’21 is a far better year.

These turbulent times, tempestuous and torrid

Where dreams have been shattered and lives have been lost

The clouds of unknows lie heavy and horrid

And for time yet to come, we’ll be counting the cost.

It perhaps hasn’t been the best festive season

And for many, I guess, it may well be the worst

But maybe next year, there’ll be some rhyme or reason

Where we’ll feel more blessed and a little less cursed.

So, be brave, go out and buy next years planner

And fill it with dreams – defy the uncertain

Live through the erasings with all means and manner

And see a new dawn when you draw back the curtain.

If next year were a movie, we’d ask for the trailer

But we know nothing about what the future may hold

Yet sail we must, like any good sailor

To find places of warmth away from the cold.

We don’t ever skip chapters of a very good book

Our stories evolve and the world keeps revolving

Though our eyes may be crying, we should take a good look

At the challenges which lie at the heart of our solving.

We can now firmly put this year in the past

And no matter what Life might throw at our door

We can stand a bit stronger, knowing this will not last

And get up again, ‘coz we’ve been here before.

We can look back on a year which has taught us so much

With a few more answers to the questions we ask

About the presence of connection despite the absence of touch

And our eyes still shine when we smile under a mask.

Give someone this year just some time in your day

A warm greeting, a nod or a listening ear

You’ll do way more than chase their demons away

In that moment of giving, you might ease your own fear.

For it is only our friendships which have got us this far

And they still make our world a beautiful place

On any dark night we need just one shining star

Let’s look after each other with kindness and grace.

We’ve come this far already, so it means we’ve survived

We’re that little bit wiser around what we can handle

Maybe this time next year, we can say we’ve all thrived

And we’ve helped others to shine from the light of our candle.

We’ve had reason to feel frustrated and furious

And the death of some freedoms are real cause to mourn

But keep judgement at bay by staying open and curious

And may you all rise tomorrow to a more peaceful dawn.

Steve Hall