Year-end

The freezing weather heralds the arrival of the festive season and the end of 2008. Christmas light-ups, year-end parties, New Year concerts… if it weren’t for these events, winter would be dull and sad. People in the street wear either black or dark blue. Willows are no longer willowy; they are shrinking like an old man. The creepers clinging to the wall are lifeless. Only the sunshine is extraordinarily bright.

Another year is going by. What is a year? It is cutting the hair short and expecting it to get long again; looking forward to spring when winter comes; departing and returning and then seeking the next destination; getting to know new people and losing touch with some others; saying goodbye to the old year and ushering in a new one.