Jan 1: Day by Day with Father Bill
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD
NEW YEAR’S DAY
-an excerpt from the poem, “Greetings, Friends!” by Ian Frazier
Friends one and all! Let us
unmute,
Excite the timbrel and the lute,
Make merry with our pots and
pan
(The hour is seven, so we can),
Shout from the balcony or lawn
For joy at what will soon be gone,
And praises sing for what is
here:
The end of this undreamt-of
year!
…
Dear friends, if we could rhyme
away
the year’s vast losses, we might
say
These stumbling line were
justified
As right in step with
Christmastide.
Does meter link up hope and
history?
The only rhyme word here is
“mystery.”
Let gladness rise, despite,
despite;
“Love one another” routs the
night,
And kindness is a folding chair
We carry with us everywhere.
In depth of winter, prospects
brighten;
Mighty stream of light will
lighten
The miles ahead, and goodness
reign –
Once more, the angels’ grand
refrain!
May your heart and the hearts of those you love be filled with the Lord’s promise to give His Hope and Healing to all in the New Year!
Happy New Year!
Father Bill +