New Year’s Potion by Charl Landsberg

bottle hope in tiny bottles
brewed from thistle, sage, and wattles
cork the glass containers tight
keep them till the dead of night
open them up to the moon
and hope will come to see you soon
a distant face you can’t recall
a wave of joy you can’t forestall
bottle hope in toilsome years
when life is sad and full of tears
keep a stash when all is lost
keep your heart aflame, fingers crossed
relearn the things you once forgot
and savour hope when there’s a lot

Charl Landsberg is a South African poet, musician, and artist from Pietermaritzburg who writes about social and civil rights issues. Their work often focusses on LGBTQIA+ issues, gender and sexuality, and racial justice.