From our Black Out Poetry Workshop

December are quite di warm enough to walk around in shorts, but the occasionally chilly sea breeze makes hot chocolate a welcomed drink. In my own family, we kept the lights up from Diwali in October all the way down to December.

In recent years, my mom makes sure that every time I come home from university I’ll have lights waiting on me, just so that I can feel special. While it has meant that strangers have knocked on our door wondering if there is a wedding upcoming because of all the festive lights, it’s a misconception I’ll happily accept. e lights are some of my favourite parts of this time of the year, giving a sense that there is always something to celebrate - despite the cold, despite the wind, despite the darkness.

I don’t think I’m the only one who feels like this. On 28 November, a crowd gathered outside the Centre Building to watch as the Christmas tree lights were switched on. e momentary joy felt by the cold students su ering under the weight of deadlines was tangible. And in that moment, at least for a second, we all stood still and smiled.