The end of the year (Christmas 2024)

Evenings in autumn that thicken the blood,
silence the birds, cover the hills with grey.

Afternoons that make the houses empty,

white rooms; windows to the forest.

The silence reverberates on the walls

patiently polished by the frozen air.

Darkness penetrates the rooms,

the night grows, hardens itself. 

Sadness is the light of truth;

it ignites memories, tears promises apart;

cold flame of ice, white bones.

A moon without a shadow; a sun that twinkles black.

In the shortest days, everything is clear.

Life has no ornaments, boundaries surrounds you,

the horizon gets closer, the air becomes light,

ones and others drift away.

Lend me, night, the light of home;
the memory of childhood, the harmony of noise,

once again the longing for eternity;

infinite universe; a time without end.

Kisses, hands, cheeks that meet,

the aroma of prawns and cava,

arms that embrace you upon arrival

and wave against the darkness.

The world ends in the living room.

A sweet slumber, the cadence of the clock;

gifts on the floor, an empty glass;

lanterns in the yard, a trivial chat.

These days grant us certainties,

certainties repeated

since the initial cry.

Mingled hair, shared scents, peace at home.

They await the night in the trenches,

the wind makes leaves and branches creak;

the start of the feared battle

will not last.

In the dark field,

on the edge between night and day,

this lone and special sunset.

The nights, in the end, will shorten;

the day, in its time, will prevail.

Everything will make sense,

the wet cheeks will dry,

the shadow will be short at noon,

cars will stop at the red light;

nothing bad or terrible will occur.

This is what Christmas gives us.

Take the innocent message,

show the naivety

long forgotten.

Do not dwell on calculations,

cover the dismay,

tame the rage,

acquire understanding, savor the nougat,

smile, toast, half-close your eyes,

give yourself permission, dare to love.

We are nothing but dust,

dust that wanders;

but, from time to time,

even surrounded by darkness,

a flash of light will find you, 

you will be for an instant a pure mirror

a vibrant reflection, clarity.

Enjoy the dazzling moment

before going back to endlessness.

This is what we are given on this day.

Accept happiness at Christmas Day.