Do More Than A Sanguine Wish... Poem by Debasish Mishra

We have waited for long for the New Year to come
Like a caged bird crying for freedom;
With hopes galore & dreams new -
Stuck to our hearts like leaves with dew.

We have waited for long for this day
To whack the Monstrous Sorrow away,
To weed out the wickedness in human breed
And to tame the futile yet fervent greed.

But had not we waited the last year too
Praying the New Year to sail us through
All the oceans of pain & threat,
But frankly think ' Have we succeeded yet! '

Can it promise to stop every tear
That flows from hunger or horrific fear!
Can it ensure that no one dies for bread
And none is burdened to bow his head!

Can it provide us all the freedom of life...
Bereft of sorrow, stress or strife!
Hmmhhh....! New Years just mark the age of Time;
Nothing more, I swear, it has in line.

Only when we know our jobs....
To see with care that no one sobs....
The New Year will bring showers of bliss:
Its time to do more than a sanguine wish.....