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On Turning the Page of
a New Year—2023-2024

The hour-glass is almost void of sand,
a rounding of the sun described in grains
that drain away. Now little time remains
as New Year stalks the browns and greens of land.
Don’t ask me with what warring tribe I stand,
the sting of every squirming conflict pains;
our fragile, blue-white world’s enwrapped in chains
of careless men’s unique destructive brand.

Upturn the glass, let’s put the planet straight,
or is this too naïve a goal to set?
Make disaffected adversaries, friends,
damp down the ire that feeds and nurtures hate,
for we’re in our Creator’s lasting debt,
not he in ours, as one more orbit ends.

.

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Paul A. Freeman is the author of Rumours of Ophir, a crime novel which was taught in Zimbabwean high schools and has been translated into German. In addition to having two novels, a children’s book and an 18,000-word narrative poem (Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers!) commercially published, Paul is the author of hundreds of published short stories, poems and articles.

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20 Responses

  1. Margaret Coats

    Nice Petrarchan sonnet, Paul. I love “upturn the glass,” although it’s a crockery cup with English tea at the moment. Soon for the flute of sparkling French wine to note “a rounding of the sun described in grains” (of which I appreciate the scribal connotations). Wishing you a splendid example of first calligraphy in a happy new year!

    Reply
    • Paul A. Freeman

      Thanks for the comment, Margaret. I usually do Shakespearean sonnets (lazy me), so this made a nice change.

      I wrote the poem a few hours before it was posted, having got muse-struck.

      Reply
    • Paul A. Freeman

      Thanks for reading and commenting and a happy and fruitful New Year to you, too.

      Reply
  4. Shamik Banerjee

    A strong sonnet to start the year with. My favourite line: damp down the ire that feeds and nurtures hate. If everyone starts following it, no doubt the world will turn into paradise soon. Thank you for this powerful sonnet, Mr. Freeman. I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year. God bless!

    Reply
    • Paul Freeman

      Thanks for commenting. Glad you liked the sonnet. Hope you have a great New year.

      Reply
  5. Brian A. Yapko

    A wonderful sonnet, Paul. It is full of heart and deep hope. Happy New Year!

    Reply
  6. Roy Eugene Peterson

    Paul, your beautiful thoughts match your poetic grandeur! Happy New Year to you and yours!

    Reply
    • Paul A. Freeman

      Thanks, Roy.

      Funnily enough, 2024 is already off to a good start with an article on the Arabian Noir anthology I’m in getting published.

      Oh, and I submitted a children’s book five minutes ago…

      How to keep up the pace?

      Reply
  7. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    An ambitious and wonderful wish for 2024 – I especially like the closing couplet. It speaks volumes, beautifully. Wishing you a peaceful and poetry-fuelled new year!

    Reply
  8. Jeff Eardley

    Brilliant Paul. A great read for a new, hopefully better year to come. Best wishes to you.

    Reply
    • Paul A. Freeman

      Thanks, Jeff.

      I’ve picked myself up, dusted myself down…and we’re off!

      Reply
  9. James A. Tweedie

    Paul, an eloquent expression of a yearning for a better world in the coming year. Count me in. If only my disaffected adversarial friends and I could agree on how to get there . . .

    Reply
    • Paul A. Freeman

      I know. Wishful thinking, but still…

      Thanks for reading and commenting.

      Reply
  10. jd

    An excellent poetic resolution and one
    that’s in all our best interests to keep. Thank you and a blessed New Year.

    Reply

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