Some call it angel number, a sign of huge potential
Many had looked towards it as
the year of perfect symmetry, symbolic of perfect vision
Instead
humanity woke up to a year of
furious storm
waves of suffering and sorrow
breaking over one place after another
weakening different nations
at different moments
in different ways
we became
disoriented and unfamiliar and adrift
locked down and lonely
empty and melancholy
convulsed and isolated
traumatised and tedious
7.8 billion lives and livelihoods affected
job jobless, poor poorer, vulnerable more vulnerable
elders temporarily distanced, for some permanent separations
at each dawn, many fearing the agonies to be endured before the set of sun
certainly, less violent than a war
but more protracted than a natural disaster
death of individuals counted, fate of the world tracked
some responded with disbelief and denial
others in acceptance and compliance
when no other course of action seems possible, many turned to our Creator
For some - mounting realization, for others - at slow drip feed pace
a fresh sense of perspective
the collective consciousness that
the action of one affects others
when one is in pain, others must not rest
for one to be strong, all must be strong
that our collective strength is dependent on the unity humanity can manifest in action
from international stage to grassroots
Humanity fought back
with the courage of new heroes
with resilience and resourcefulness
with innovations at unimaginable speeds
with valuable sources of comfort from arts and nature
each one valiant and determined
we worked, we read, and we zoomed
we watched plays and heard arias
we wandered the wilderness
we prayed
all from our homes
in solitary and in family units
separately together
Shakespeare coined it, humanity demonstrated it
Milk of human kindness
a sense of extraordinary solidarity emerged
waves upon waves
one place after another
strengthening different communities
at different moments
in different ways
to succor and to support others
through words and deeds
with wise counsels, comforting reassurance, and constant encouragement
with mutual aids, with covax
with bonds of love
with solace and solidarity
In the coming year
the consequences of which society cannot yet estimate with any certainty
humanity has the fortitude and determination to see the journey through
however difficult matters are at present
however close to the limits of endurance some sections of societies have been brought
however long and arduous the road that must be travelled
With stamina and staunch spirits
we draw from stores of hope, faith, and magnanimity
putting the needs of others before our own to nourish others
to work for humanity’s betterment
humanity will ultimately pass through this ordeal,
and will emerge on the other side
with greater insight and with a deeper appreciation
of our inherent oneness and interdependence
This surely is a year of inflexion point on humanity’s trajectory
But
Humanity will not be subdued