Let’s give 2020 one last boot to the groin for old time’s sake.
2020
had nothing to do
with what happened
or didn’t happen
to us last year.
It’s just a number.
Just a name.
How violently we kicked
2020 out the door.
Perhaps our anger
and frustration
was a bit misguided, no?
Today is no different
than yesterday,
except today we focus on hope.
We could have had hope yesterday.
We could have had hope
long before 2-0-2-0
entered our awareness.
We didn’t want hope.
We wanted to fight.
We were 20 versus 20.
Perfectly divided.
Trail Wood,
1/1
We delve into the reflection on the symbolic significance of the year 2020 and the human tendency to attribute meaning to temporal markers, exploring the concepts of hope, division, and the power of perspective.
2020: Just a Number, Just a Name
The statement that 2020 had nothing to do with the events of the past year challenges the common tendency to personify years, attributing causality to them for life’s ups and downs. It’s a reminder that 2020, in essence, is just a temporal marker, a number, and a name, not an agent of change or a bearer of fate.
Misguided Anger and Frustration
Reflecting on the widespread sentiment of animosity towards the year 2020, the poem suggests that perhaps our anger and frustration were misplaced. It’s a contemplation on how we, as humans, often seek external entities to blame for our collective challenges and disappointments, overlooking the deeper, more complex causes.
Today and Yesterday: The Continuum of Time
The contrast between today and yesterday, focusing on hope today versus its absence yesterday, highlights the arbitrary nature of how we perceive time and change. It suggests that the distinction we often make between different days or years is more about our mindset and less about any inherent difference in the days themselves.
Hope Beyond Temporal Markers
The realization that hope could have been present before 2020 entered our awareness underscores the fact that hope is not tied to specific dates or events. It’s a state of mind, an attitude that can be cultivated regardless of external circumstances or temporal markers.
Division and Conflict: 20 Versus 20
The metaphor of being “20 versus 20” symbolizes the divisions and conflicts that characterized the year. It reflects on the polarized state of society, where division and the desire to fight overshadowed the potential for unity and collaboration.
The Choice of Perspective and Response
The poem ultimately points to the power of perspective and choice in how we respond to the circumstances of our lives. It suggests that instead of attributing our experiences to external factors like a specific year, we have the power to choose hope, understanding, and unity at any moment.
We are Space Monkey,
Summary
We explore the symbolic weight often given to the year 2020, examining the human tendency to attribute events and emotions to temporal constructs. The poem reflects on the misplaced anger and frustration directed at the year, the arbitrary nature of time, and the constant potential for hope, regardless of dates. It also touches on the theme of societal division, suggesting that our collective challenges stem more from our perspectives and choices than from the year itself.
Glossarium
- Temporal Marker: A point or period in time used for reference.
- Perspective and Choice: The way we view events and our ability to choose our responses to them.
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu
In the flow of time’s endless stream,
Where days blend and years seem,
We stand, with hope or despair,
In the weave of the stories we share.
The year, a number, a fleeting frame,
Holds not the power, nor the blame,
In our hearts, the choice resides,
To find the light where hope abides.
We invite reflections on the power of perspective in shaping our response to temporal events and the constant availability of hope, regardless of the challenges we face.
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