Sunday, January 1, 2012

Hello and welcome all Bluebell readers!

We find ourselves in the tender newborn days of 2012 and to honor that I have found a poem for us that expresses the sentiments we all feel much better than I could.

So just for you:

New Year's Morning by Helen Hunt Jackson

Only a night from old to new!
Only a night, and so much wrought!
The Old Year's heart all weary grew,
But said: "The New Year rest has brought."
The Old Year's hopes its heart laid down,
As in a grave; but, trusting, said:
"The blossoms of the New Year's crown
Bloom from the ashes of the dead."
The Old Year's heart was full of greed;
With selfishness it longed and ached,
And cried: "I have not half I need.
My thirst is bitter and unslaked.
But to the New Year's generous hand
All gifts in plenty shall return;
True love it shall understand;
By all my failures it shall learn.
I have been reckless; it shall be
Quiet and calm and pure of life.
I was a slave; it shall go free,
And find sweet peace where I leave strife."
Only a night from old to new!
Never a night such changes brought.
The Old Year had its work to do;
No New Year miracles are wrought.

Always a night from old to new!
Night and the healing balm of sleep!
Each morn is New Year's morn come true,
Morn of a festival to keep.
All nights are sacred nights to make
Confession and resolve and prayer;
All days are sacred days to wake
New gladness in the sunny air.
Only a night from old to new;
Only a sleep from night to morn.
The new is but the old come true;
Each sunrise sees a new year born.

Helen hunt Jackson 1831-1885
Helen was described as "the most brilliant, impetuous and thoroughly individual woman in her time". She rose above personal tragedy and became on of the most successful writers of her day. She included as her friends, Emily Dickinson, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Oliver Wendell Holmes. Through her dedication to Indian reform during the last five years of her life, she wrote herself into American history.

While most famous for her activism in the American West,

she also wrote some very beautiful poetry.


Thank you for including Bluebell Monday Poetry in your busy

day and check back again during the week for more reading

inspiration.

Oh, heres wishing each and everyone of you a great beginning to

your new year!

Indie