By Abubakar D. Sani. Esq.

Friday, December 25th, 2020
Is there anything special about it – Beyond, that is, the obvious?
That it is Christmas, of course!

Everyone knows that – so, what’s new?
Well, that particular day of the week:
Friday, that is -
With which it coincides this year

Just happens to be
A holy day, for moslems as well
And so, for adherents
Of both Islam and Christianity –

It is a fortuitous
Joint celebration
Quite unlike any
In recent memory
For Britons – particularly their Government
(In the context of the European Union)
The previous day – December, 24th Was the best Christmas present!

For that day marked the real Brexit
The formal signing of a trade deal – To which it had irrevocably committed
Backed by an overwhelming majority in Parliament

For the rest of the world, however,
(And, indeed, within the same EU/UK)
There was little (else) to cheer
As the Coronavirus continues its rampage

New variants – and, indeed, a Second Wave
Were reported by the authorities
Wasting lives and ravaging businesses
It was a cruel twist of fate

Because it coincided with
The roll-out of at least
Three different vaccines
By Pfizer, Moderna and, another, called Sputnik
All of which were touted
As the long-awaited panaceas
To this disease like no other
As for that – well, only time will tell

Unfortunately, this remains
The prognosis for much of the ills
Which plague humanity
To this very day –

Notwithstanding the reverence
With which Christians and moslems, alike
Regard it – a day for penitence
And, much else, besides

So, if you are looking for
One take-away, then
(If you like, a wish for Santa Claus)
Or anything else

From this most auspicious of days
It must be for the Good Lord
To bring healing and renewed faith
To every one of us
In whichever corner
Of His earth
We call home
This must be our real goal