It's a new year,

It's another new year.

Some they look at is as they are a little older,

They are more experienced,

They know more and they can do more.

They are right, and their confidence should continue to flourish.

Some they look at as they are a little older,

A year has gone by,

And they're a little closer to the end,

A little closer to the finish line.

Throughout the years they continued to gain,

Their steps were sure, on solid ground,

Progression continued until they reached this height.

Some they look at as if they’re a little older,

And damn, they haven’t progressed at all,

Throughout the year life has hounded them,

Throughout the year their spirit eroded a little more,

Their spirit dwindling, decaying.

Some don’t look at it,

It hurts too much to recall,

A tragedy befell them,

The heavens struck down,

Civilization was demolished,

The earth was destroyed.

And yet, another new year is here to greet them.

And I tell you this, my brothers and sisters,

My nonbinary and trans friends,

The years will continue to cycle on,

A new year will always be there to greet you,

Whether you see it from amidst the ashes,

Or from a mountain peak.

Whether you see it from a golden palace,

Or from a bus shack on the city streets.

It will always be there,

Waiting for your arrival.

So do not fear, my love,

Don’t fear to walk into the valley of death,

To climb the steep mountain road,

Don’t hesitate, to rot away,

And hide from life.

What’s another year wasted.

It will always be there.

And if this year your body breathes its last,

It will greet you in the next life.

And as we sit here,

As our life transitions,

To the next step,

As we transform,

Into a new person.

May we find the time to consider,

The life we desire,

The life we yearn for.

May we find time to consider,

Our regrets,

The choices we didn’t make.

May we find time to curse,

The heavens,

The circumstance,

And the unpaved road.

Let us find time to hope.

That the new year will be gentler,

That the world will be a better place,

That we will be better people.

But do not fear child,

The new year will always be there to greet us.