See You on the Other Side

Did anything happen this year?

You know, besides good friends and amazingly inexplicable children and a lot of poetry and snark and support and laughter.

Along the way, I seem to have acquired a live-in sister-in-law, a couple of tattoos, a reading list like whoa (or whoa-er, because who are we kidding), a really big dog, a significantly higher lifetime word-count, a couple month’s supply of HobNobs (thanks, Mom and Odie!), a few more rejections, many more possibilities, some uncertainties, and a bit more courage.

I have a finished novel—maybe two.

I don’t have cancer.

I’m on Facebook, of all the ridiculous things.

Last year, I said that 2012 was going to be a blast—and it was.  Maybe not in the way I’d envisioned, but that was half the fun.  You know, once I recovered.

A lot of the credit for that goes to you all.  Thank you so much for your encouragement, wisdom, humor, videos, links, timely kicks in the rear, images, commiseration, feedback, and oh, the poetry.

I’m tickled that y’all seem to think this small blog is worth your time.

Because 2013 just won’t rock as hard without your company.

See you on the other side.

A Song for New Year’s Eve
(William Cullen Bryant*)

Stay yet, my friends, a moment stay—
Stay till the good old year,
So long companion of our way,
Shakes hands, and leaves us here.
Oh stay, oh stay,
One little hour, and then away.

The year, whose hopes were high and strong,
Has now no hopes to wake;
Yet one hour more of jest and song
For his familiar sake.
Oh stay, oh stay,
One mirthful hour, and then away.

The kindly year, his liberal hands
Have lavished all his store.
And shall we turn from where he stands,
Because he gives no more?
Oh stay, oh stay,
One grateful hour, and then away.

Days brightly came and calmly went,
While yet he was our guest;
How cheerfully the week was spent!
How sweet the seventh day’s rest!
Oh stay, oh stay,
One golden hour, and then away.

Dear friends were with us, some who sleep
Beneath the coffin-lid:
What pleasant memories we keep
Of all they said and did!
Oh stay, oh stay,
One tender hour, and then away.

Even while we sing, he smiles his last,
And leaves our sphere behind.
The good old year is with the past;
Oh be the new as kind!
Oh stay, oh stay,
One parting strain, and then away.

_______________________________

*Who looks just like Father Time.  Poetic, no?

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