THE PASSING OF THE YEAR 2012

While considering how to write about the ending year, I received the gift of a poem that arrived in my inbox from The Academy of American Poets. The poem: THE PASSING OF THE YEAR by Robert William Service, “The People’s Poet.” It seems appropriate to share a portion of this poem as I think of my gratitude toward 2012. It is a contemplative poem, well constructed, not too difficult, and one that I’ve reread and pondered. For those who are interested, it’s an iambic tetrameter with an A B A B rhyme scheme. At times, Service speaks directly to the old year, a technique called apostrophe. What I find most appealing is that Service has reached through the decades and captured the universal mixed emotions that sometimes happen this time of year – something akin to the joy and/or sorrow of what was, mixed with the melancholy of what might have been, infused with gratitude, wit, and ultimately a call to carry on. It captures the essence of what I had hoped to say. Here are the last two stanzas of THE PASSING OF THE YEAR by Robert W. Service as we say goodbye to 2012:

And so from face to face I flit,

The countless eyes that stare and stare;

Some are with approbation lit,

And some are shadowed with despair.

Some show a smile and some a frown;

Some joy and hope, some pain and woe:

Enough! Oh, ring the curtain down!

Old weary year! it's time to go.

My pipe is out, my glass is dry;

My fire is almost ashes too;

But once again, before you go,

And I prepare to meet the New:

Old Year! a parting word that's true,

For we've been comrades, you and I --

I thank God for each day of you;

There! bless you now! Old Year, good-bye!

This poem is in the public domain. If you would like to read the entire poem, click to visit The Academy of American Poets.

 12/31/2012