Poets’ Corner: Resolved, in the New Year

31 Dec Poets’ Corner: Resolved, in the New Year

The first New Year’s Eve celebration dates back 4,000 years to the time of Julius Caesar. The emperor of Rome was the first to declare January 1 a national holiday. He named the month after Janus, the Roman god of doors and gates. Janus had two faces, one looking forward and one looking back, a perfect metaphor for the evening when we both reflect and hope. And while we are on the subject of hope, here is a poem as prayer from Wordwoman Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.

HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.

Watching The Wizard of Oz on New Year’s Eve, I Think of a Resolution toward Peace

As for you, my galvanized friend, you want a heart. You don’t know how lucky you are not to have one. Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable.

—The Wizard to the Tin Man, The Wizard of Oz, Frank L. Baum

Give us hearts that break

when we see how cruel the world can be

and hands that extend toward others.

Give us eyes that weep when we feel

the beauty of home, and

lips to speak love, to apologize.

Give us courage to say what must be said

and ears to hear what we’d rather not hear

and eyes that will not turn the other way

from anyone in need.

Give us brains that are wired

for helpfulness, compassion

and curiosity. Yes, let us ask for hearts

that break and break and grow

bigger in the breaking. Let us

love more than we think we can love.

And the cup of kindness, may we

ever remember to drink of it,

let us share it with each other.