Ring Out the Old, Ring in the New !

December 31, 2007

Always as one year ends and another is about to begin, I reread the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem, "In Memoriam". It is a lengthy poem, but the final verses are a great way to "Ring out" the old and "Ring in' the new. I quote:

"Ring out wild bells to the wild sky,

The flying cloud, the frosty light:

The year is dying in the night;

Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love of truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,

Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

Ring out the thousand wars of old,

Ring in the thousand years of peace."

Celebrate responsibly !