The year is dying in the night...

1849. So many years ago.

A different time.

But words written then

heard on Radio 4 

still speak now.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson 

sits on hogmanay

and writes words

of hope and longing,

they touch my soul 

as I sit on the 

brink of 2013.

Yet again 

the year is
"dying in the night"

and as we hear the 

bells at midnight

we will say 

"Happy New Year".

Wishing away 

falseness

poverty

grief and war.

Longing for 

truth

equality

kindness

justice and peace.

Ring in the New Year 

tonight my friends...

"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."

(Ring out, wild bells)