Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New

 

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 In Memoriam, [Ring out, wild bells]

Alfred, Lord Tennyson 1809 –1892

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 the grief that saps the mind
   For those that here we see no more;
   Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
   And ancient forms of party strife;
   Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
   The faithless coldness of the times;
   Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

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.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
   The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
   Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

This poem is in the public domain.

The new year, 2024, is almost here, presenting new opportunities and a fresh start. Some people will be glad to see the back of 2023, especially if it's been a time of illness, hardship  or grief. Whatever you are leaving behind, I hope this new year sees you fulfilling your hopes and dreams.

As we turn to a fresh page, try to make your writing habit a daily one. Even if you set aside only a few minutes each day you will reap the benefits and see an improvement in your mental health. Clink here to find out why.

Writing prompts:

• Whether or not the last line of 'In Memoriam' means anything to you, I'm sure you can agree with Tennyson's overall sentiment in this poem. Write about what you will ring out that is 'false' and ring in that is 'true'.
• Have you experienced 'grief that saps the mind' in 2023? Set a timer and write about the experience for six minutes.
• Do you think it is possible to 'ring out the thousand wars of old'? Write about how the world could ring in peace.
• Make two lists - one of all you want to ring out and another of all you want to ring in. If you keep the lists, perhaps you could reflect on them at this time in 2024.
  

I've had 3,000 views of my blog in the 2023. Please do share your writing or make a comment. It would be good to hear from you.