Ring Out Wild Bells
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 the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
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.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the [Light] that is to be.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
This was one of my mother's favorite poems. She would yell it out in to the storms and wind of winter in those cold days between Christmas and New Year's Day. She loved the idea of new beginnings, fresh starts and spiritual "do-overs". I inherited this love from her....and now I am the wild woman in her bathrobe quoting poetry on the front lawn in gale force winds. What a legacy!
My birthday is tomorrow. I will be 41 years old. I don't know where the days have gone. My "babies" are young men. My dark hair is streaked with white. My left knee tells me when it is going to rain. Friends I have known and loved are gone from this world and I miss them. I no longer believe that I am immortal, but I know that I am not yet old. I guess I have reached my "Middle Ages". It is a difficult idea to accept, but it feels natural, so here I am. Ready to move forward; to keep what works and change what doesn't. Ready for a fresh start.
Ring out wild bells to the wild sky! I will be listening for the echo of your song as I step boldly into my new year. Ring out, happy bells, across the snow!
