As my New Year's greeting to all I'm sharing the final stanza of W. H. Auden's classic poem, September 1, 1939 which I find even more apropos and relevent this year than ever. Happy New Year everybody!

Defenceless under the night,
Our world in stupour lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of eros and of dust,
Beleagured by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.



May we all add an affirming flame to the year ahead.