Seen from a distant star-lit galaxy,
What is a new year but a single instant,
A cadence in the music of the spheres?

But to us, two hearts in warm embrace,
The night is vivid with the memory
Of children and journeys and old songs.

The past year is a noiseless presence,
Like a rain storm that spends itself
And leaves a heavy stillness in the air.

We listen for the eternal note of hope,
Heedless of the riot of fireworks outside
And the neon glitter of the crowded square.

Listen, the ball signals the moment as moonlight
Casts a patina of fantasy over darkened streets.
The countdown chant rises from Perth to Palma.

Look, the square is ablaze with crimson and gold.
Our eyes meet as we measure the moment,
This brilliant intersection of past and future.

A thousand points of light flicker against the dark;
We are grateful for the ecstasy of life, for grace,
For the chance to dream brave dreams again.

Let galaxies observe their predictable orbits.
Our flesh and blood make all the difference.
This love will outlive the year, and outlast the stars.

© by Stephen Mendonca.
Used with the author's permission.