Hafez-e Shirazi (1326–1390) wrote the perfect adieu to 2016, which I have translated from Persian as “A Stand of Flowers”
Grieve not! Joseph who has gone astray
will find his way to Canaan.
Grieve not! From the cell where sorrows dwell
will spring a stand of flowers.
***
yusef gomgashteh baaz aayad beh kan’aan qam mikhur
kolbe-ye ahzaan shavad ruzi golestaan qam mikhur