An year passed, and passed fast, a challenging and damning one,
And it is time to take stock of my crushed dreams and betrayed hopes.
Like the wheels of Lord Jagannath's chariot, time marches on and on,
and in it's great vortex, my emotions run dry without steam.
With my condescending conscience, I fought new and bloody battles,
and in an arena set for bloated egos, my bruised self respect stood unbowed.
When legends trembled and trolls laughed at my chances skittled,
day in and day out, I showed up, and stood to face the Covid Dragon, unmoved.
In Samalkot of the Winter's past, I got to speak at the blessed Lord's temple,
And, new alliances forged and formed as new lessons were learnt from mistakes made.
Few little crimes committed for many lofty elusive ideals, so elite and ample,
matched those fleeting moments of pleasure that I always dreamt, but never had.
Battered by the banality of life, I sought refuge in solitude,
caressed by the twilight of struggle, I was all at risk and not safe.
In books and dreams, I lived and died, I laughed and cried,
away from the scorched reality that offered no kiss of life.
And twenty twenty, the year of vision that turned rapidly into an unkept promise,
made me rich and poor, cursed and blessed alike like the hero of The Thousand Hoods.
What new joy and sorrow awaits me, what challenge turns me into a champion?
Well, towards 2021, I walk, a new sojourn with an old passion.
Veluvali Maheeth,
16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu,
Thursday, 31st of December, 2020.
