I Know I Know I Have Poem by Mandira Mitra

A lonely New Year's Eve
Beckons me tonight
With promises of retreat
Into warm August nights.
It will pass. But nothing
Thaws the heart's listless longing
For a little warmth tonight.
Nothing will quell this sobbing child
No lullabies will put to sleep
The chattering, monkeying brain-
Lest you lie alone tonight,
Lest you be alone again.
But I have lit bonfires, I say
Counted stars and built on sand
Played backgammon till they spotted me
On my lonely island.
And I have laughed alone and cried with me
And have sung with me a song
Till they found me waiting with me
And God! the wait was long.
Memories are fresh and raw
Savoured with care they'll give
Enough strength and warmth to survive
This Winter's New Year eve.