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"It is only in appearance that time is a river. It is rather a vast landscape and it is the eye of the beholder that moves." -Thornton Wilder, "Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." - D.A, All is quiet on New Year's Day (and the two afterwards thanks to a big bugger of a hangover), Hold on to Esme, If I don't see you through the week I'll see you through the window [traditional stalkers song that], Onwards and Upwards Plague Beaks Donned, What time do you call this?
This poem was composed in 1802 for a merry party that used to meet each year at Goethe’s house, so I’m posting it now, on the eve of the new year, as is right and proper. It has a positive slant to it which is important right now.
*Raises a glass and wishes one and all of her fine friends and followers the very best with bells on for 2021. Good luck folks, stay safe and may your days be devoid of imbeciles! *blows a kiss to one and all*
ON THE NEW YEAR.
FATE now allows us,
‘Twixt the departing
And the upstarting,
Happy to be;
And at the call of
Memory cherish’d,
Future and perish’d
Moments we see.
Seasons of anguish,–
Ah, they must ever
Truth from woe sever,
Love and joy part;
Days still more worthy
Soon will unite us,
Fairer songs light us,
Strength’ning the heart.
We, thus united,
Think of, with gladness,
Rapture and sadness,
Sorrow now flies.
Oh, how mysterious
Fortune’s direction!
Old the connection,
New-born the prize!
Thank, for this, Fortune,
Wavering blindly!
Thank all that kindly
Fate may bestow!
Revel in change’s
Impulses clearer,
Love far sincerer,
More heartfelt glow!
Over the old one,
Wrinkles collected,
Sad and dejected,
Others may view;
But, on us gently
Shineth a true one,
And to the new one
We, too, are new.
As a fond couple
‘Midst the dance veering,
First disappearing,
Then reappear,
So let affection
Guide thro’ life’s mazy
Pathways so hazy
Into the year!
1802. – (or 2021 as time is a fickle fecker)
Esme's Cloud 
Chin-chin, Esme me dearie. There was a blissfully lacy cloud over Wenlock today, in the blue above the snowland. It might have been yours 🙂
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It was Tish, The Cloud was in shawl mode as I’ve taken up crotcheting, it was giving me pattern ideas! Raises her glass.
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Maybe yes, maybe no ……… let’s let 2020 go …….. and follow the flow.
Besides 2021 is going to happen anyway.
So Esme, have a good one. Cheers.
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I shall do my utmost, it’ll be 2050 before we know it! Hahahahahaha.
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-giggles- I’m going to be a pleb and say I love the New Year’s gif! Is that Shakespeare blowing the party favour? All the very best for the new year, Esme. May you and Cloud have a kinder year than the one that’s just ended. -hugs-
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Good taste my dear, not a pleb at all. But then I would say that eh? laughs. Thank you for the kind wishes Meeka, just the same for you, hope is vital these days.
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Hope can move mountains. 🙂
-grabs bucket to catch the good stuff raining down from the Cloud-
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This is an excellent and buoyant translation/interpretation of “Zum neuen Jahr”, Esme. “On The New Year” successfully recreates the ebullience of that 1802 transitional gathering of early 19th-century revelers. Juggling rhymes in mid-air is tricky stuff — like tossing several wordlets into motion and painting them while they are suspended. Sagenhaft.
Wishing you edifying and ethereal e-wonders in 2 0 2 1
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Aha! The very same in German, lovely Bill. The reader sounds very pleased with himself too, you’re quite right, the enthusiasm makes all the difference! Thank you dearie. Many fine wonders of an ethereal nature sent back to you and Lisa.
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Enthusiasm does make all the difference. And ethereal wonders sent on the wings of a sticky bun?
Ausserordentliche Köstlichkeiten, wie immer.
Lisa sagt:
“Sugar sweet, jah’got me rapp’in to the heat!”
Einen sanften Rutsch ins neue Jahr wünschen wir Dir!
Google Translate was lumpily Trump-fisted on their reverse translation. I shall offer them a better one. 🙂
Our wish to you: Slide gently into the new year!
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Sliding is always better than falling, and I know this as one New Yera’s Eve not so very long ago I fell down a flight of metal stairs and broke my foot. Luckily I was wearing a huge fake fur coat, so other parts were cushioned, but fall I did. I think every establishment that serves alcohol should have a slide for customers. Thank you for your wish I have pinned it up across the Cloud as a banner. x
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