Crossing into New Year | AK Das

The end of the Year: pausing moment
of the parting sun.
Skyline changes into deep russet;
the evening brings down
a shadowy curtain;
falling dusk obliterates
the page of the day.

Once again the train of time
slowing down
halts at the last destination
of the Old Year.
Another engine waits in the yard
to take it to an unknown station.

Corona, the spoilsport, at the border;
yet no damper on the spirits, rejoicing;
rolling pistons moving faster;
smooth crossing into the New Year –
all possessions intact.

Is it a new departure
or a simple transition into time
refreshed, resuming its journey
on an elongated track seemingly endless?

The New Year once appearing so distant
is now suddenly here
with its plethora of promises.
‘They’ll be fulfilled’, assures hope eternal.

— A.K. Das, December 21, 2020