“Cheers to the New Year.” Photo by Rebecca R.
Happy New Year, Friends!
Although I said I would, I changed my mind about sharing a Neruda poem this evening. Instead, I decided to drop in with a dialogue poem by late 19th/early 20th century poet, Ella Wheeler Wilcox. The dialogue speaks to this particular moment of transition. After the maddening year that’s just ended, some of us might be a little wary about our march into 2021. But the year awaits with all its gifts.
New Year: A Dialogue
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Mortal
“The night is cold, the hour is late, the world is bleak and drear;
Who is it knocking at my door?”
The New Year
“I am Good Cheer.”
Mortal
“Your voice is strange; I know you not; in shadows dark I grope.
What seek you here?”
The New Year
“Friend, let me in; my name is Hope.”
Mortal
“And mine is Failure; you but mock the life you seek to bless. Pass on.”
The New Year
“Nay, open wide the door; I am Success.”
Mortal
“But I am ill and spent with pain; too late has come your wealth. I cannot use it.”
The New Year
“Listen, friend; I am Good Health.”
Mortal
“Now, wide I fling my door. Come in, and your fair statements prove.”
The New Year
“But you must open, too, your heart, for I am Love.”
May you find in this year good cheer, hope, success, good health, and, of course, love.
About the image: The macro photo of a leaf with raindrops (or dew?) came from my friend, Rebecca R. She captured it during an autumn walk and sent it with best wishes for the new year.
Pics and Posts 
Working on opening, as I remember to face the rising sun of tomorrow’s new day begun, marching on, full of the faith that our dark past has taught us, and working on that hope, until victory over all ill things is won, together.
Peace,
-Shira
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❤️❤️❤️ Peace, my sister…
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Beautiful photo! The dialogue is so close to many a heart. The fact that one has to hope, love & believe with a open heart & mind is so true. I am looking forward to the year with a happiness.
Wishing you a cheerful & healthy New Year Chandra ❣️
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The photo is more beautiful in person, of course. One day, I’ll have a scanner that shows the true beauty of a thing! 😀 Happy 2021!
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Beautiful 🌼
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Awww…thank you (on behalf of the poet and the photographer). 🙂 Happy 2021!
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Happy New year 🎉
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You always combine great photos with the perfect prose/poem. What a blessing you are to the blogiverse
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You’re so kind! Thank you!
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HaHa I can relate to this poem!
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I think a lot of people can! Happy 2021!
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Great post, love this Chandra. 🙂
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Thanks for loving it, Ladybug!
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I love it! Happy New Year to you, too, Chandra.
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