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Monday 31 December 2012

just don't blame the New Year when it all goes pear shaped
...

What makes us think
that when the old 
year clicks its heels 
and gives way to the new
some switch is thrown,
some pattern changed,
some gravitas is born?

Time, once a mighty monarch, used
its influence on man's affairs,
then Einstein relegated it --
An adjunct now, half lost in space,
it has no arbitrary switch
to change the outcomes year on year --
nor would we profit if it had. 

The year is dying, let it die, *
but mourn its passing, do not cheer.
Bad though it was for me and mine,
it still deserves its due respect.
The bad was never down to it,
of good it too was innocent.
Ring in the new! Same as, same as...

It's true, we'll hope
with one accord
the New Year will be magical --
and hope should be revered.
So foster it 
with peals of bells
and ring the New Year in!
............................................
* Alfred Lord Tennyson. here

And A MAGICAL NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

19 comments:

hyperCRYPTICal said...

Excellent Dave.

I live for every day and one day blurs into the next for this happy moron. Years have nowt to do with the way I feel - hence I have never aged...:o]

"The bad was never down to it, of good it too was innocent." Tis true. Years get blamed for everything...

Nevertheless - hope 2013 measures time well for one and all.

Anna :o]

Mary said...

I think we all like to think there are new beginnings. January 1is really one of those arbitrary times, but it does give us a sense oh hopefulness, and though the same old may continue we enjoy our dreams. Happy new year, Dave.

Rachel Cotterill said...

I tend to take things one day at a time, anyway - but it's nice to have an excuse to raise a glass and reminisce :)

Best wishes for 2013!

Brian Miller said...

i like the paying respect to the past...then let it be, its done its work, dont try to relive it...it is funny how we celebrate another day turning on the calendar...another way to mark our passing....happy new year man..

Susan said...

"The bad was never down to it,
of good it too was innocent."

And so subtly your language rings a different kind of change: bringing the good and bad of it back into the human realm under language, back into the family/community/spiritual realm of how we live our lives. Time now to reflect, time now to look forward. Loving thanks. Happy New Year.

Carl said...

it is arbitrary for sure, but sometimes it is what I nee d for slight course alterations... Sometimes even bigger changes.

Manicddaily said...

Thanks, Dave - we all like some kind of demarcation! Second (or 52nd or 62nd) chance! Re-beginning. It does feel increasingly arbitrary! A beautiful day outside though.

I wanted to send you a link that I think you'd really like - it's on the New York Times today - a video of an illustrated interview with Maurice Sendak. I know you are a visual artist as well as poet, and I think you'd really like it. I can't get the link to work but if you try the Times' website and look in the video section ---if you are interested - you may enjoy.

Thanks much for all of your kindness and wonderful poetry and stories, and the best of new years. k.

kaykuala said...

The year is dying, let it die, *
but mourn its passing

The year has passed and one accords due recognition and welcomes a new one! So it is! Happy New Year Dave!

Hank

Ygraine said...

It does give us new hope, doesn't it, to think of all the possibilities the approaching year could bring?
I do seem to have an almost child-like sense of anticipation every New Year's Eve.
Here's hoping we all fulfil at least some of our resolutions for 2013!
Happy New Year
xxx

Tigerbrite said...

Wise this. May your 2013 be peaceful and happy.

Anonymous said...

A magical new year to you also Dave. Your writing is so genuine and insightful. Thanks for connecting. Many blessings.

Sarav said...

Thank you Dave for a well written ode to time and its passage--a very happy and magical new year to you :-)

Elephant's Child said...

Time is so flexible - a minute can last an hour and a year less than a week. Perhaps we set yet another arbitary limit on it in an attempt to keep it steady. Nonetheless, a reason to reflect and to hope is never a bad thing. Happy, and hopeful New Year to you and yours.

Dave King said...

hyperCRYPTICAL
Amen to all of that! Happy moron, I can certainly live with that -- an ideal state. A happy and healthful 2013 to you and yours.


Mary
Yes. I agree. We have times we turn over a new page, and sometimes start anew chapter - even a new book. And there's a lot to be said for going back to read an old favourite! Have 2013 memorable for all the right reasons.

Rachel
Exactly! A happy and healthful 2013 to you and yours.


Brian
Yup, here's to it. May we all be blessed at various points.

Susan
Very much appreciate this comment. Thank you for it, and here's to you and yours in 2013.

Carl
Yes, I take that. It can be a massive psychological help, but an equally massive let down if you have a run of bad years after celebrating the birth of each. A happy and healthful 2013 to you and yours.


Manicddaily
Thank you very much for the steer. I shall certainly try the Senak link. Thanks too for the comment and for all your very valued support over the past year. All blessings to you and yours through 2013.

Hank
Thanks Hank. Much appreciated. Have a grand New Year.

Ygraine
Yes, I do like your description of the child-like sense of anticipation. I certainly have that. Very like what I remember having as a child at Christmas Time. I think we should remeber, though, that the New Year is not another Father Christmas! May you be blessed along the way.

SaraV
Thank you so much for this. Have a great year.

The Elephant's Child
Yes, indeed. I like your thinking on this. Thanks for the reflection.
A happy and healthful 2013 to you and yours.






Dave King said...

Tigerbrite
Thanks. Sorry I missed you first time through! Have a splendid 2013.

birchpoet
Thank you so much for these kind words. As with Tigerbrite I apologise for missing you initially. Here's wishing you and yours a good year ahead.

Scarlet said...

What a lovely quote and reflections Dave ~ For me, there is no such thing as a bad year, you are right, it deserves its due respect ~

Happy New Day ~

Anonymous said...

David, apologies for my lateness!, and a happy new year. TBH- you had me at the first stanza...what indeed makes us think that when the clock strikes midnight, that things will be better, or changed for the better. Personally, I think its a good psychological marker if nothing else...some great sentiments expressed in this

Liz Rice-Sosne said...

Dave ... thanks most of all for taking me back to Tennyson a poet of my childhood. I sort of look at the New Year as well OK, now that is done time to move on to the next one ... plus I never make it till the New Year (that night), no I am off to bed. Happy New Year Dave to you and Yours.

Dave King said...

Heaven
Much thanks for this. Yes, there are very few years I wouldn't have back if I could - maybe I've just been lucky.
A VERY GOOD NEW YEAR TO YOU!

stuartmcpherson
No apologies needed. Great to have you visiting and commenting. Thanks for your thoughts.
A VERY GOOD NEW YEAR TO YOU!

Raven
Hi! Really good to have your visit. We seem to be two of a kind. Thank you for your insights.
A VERY GOOD NEW YEAR TO YOU!