Carteret Writers Group Community Poem
During our December Meet-Up at Clawson’s Restaurant in Beaufort, Carteret Writers members participated in a Community Poem activity led by our president, Meganne Smith. Our poem was inspired by Tennyson’s “Ring Out, Wild Bells,” with each member contributing a stanza. We hope you enjoy the final poem.
Contributing authors (in alphabetical order): Lindsay Bailey, Mike Barton, Rose Culbreth, Marian Goetzinger, Melissa Kelley, Tom Kies, Bobbie Sawyers, Susan Schmidt, Sarah, Don Sheldon, Sara Shelp, Trish Sheppard, Meganne Smith, Susan Smith, Autumn Ware, Jessi Waugh.
Ring in holiday cheer
The foolish shopping rush
The crazy emotional mush
Ring it Grinch, have a beer
Ring out the neverending yes
to meetings, chores, and overtime.
Make time instead for art and rhyme.
Ring in the more discerning yes.
Wring out the clothes, dank and dirty.
Wash away the old adornments.
Ring in higher astonishments.
Don wonder, peace and empathy.
Ring out the Hate–ring in the Love
Ignore the noise of media shout
Discount the lie that’s all about
Ring in the truth from God above.
Ring out the grey morning blight
Noontime birds in flight
Hot afternoon bright sky light
Ring in the cooling evening twilight
Ring bells with harmonies, delight
my ears, my mind. I’m all ears for
the inspiration at my door.
Please, Muse, my mind and spirit light.
Shower and wring out the sopping towel
Wring out the wet bathing suit
Rinse chlorine from goggles and cap
Wipe dry toes before donning socks
Like the hungry pelican,
The heart is scouring the waves,
For what nurtures man.
Fish, love, and belonging. What everyone craves.
Ring out the cloud that bloats the seas,
For those that call their home the ocean.
Please hurry, witch, and mix the potion,
Ring in the reign of the anemones.
Ring out the noise, so loud and smart
The shouting voices, the ringing tears
The echoes of hatred, the ugly jeers.
Ring in the quiet, and a softer heart.
Ring out the fractious, malicious voice
Ring in the benevolent gift of choice
Ring out the world of tension and strife
Ring in the glorious gift of Life
Ring out, wild fears of futures drear
Nights’ cold sweats, worry, nightmares, tears
Ring in peace and rest, sleep well in bed
Trust all things will one day be clear
Ring in the silence of the night
The stillness of remembered peace
Ring the bell of owl’s solo flight
The silent cries of the least
Ring out, cold full moon in the sky
To ring in Joy to this New Year
Choose Joy she calls to those so dear
Ring in Love, Hope Faith as Time goes by.
Ring out the dreams that do not live
And sorrow for those gone in peace
Ring in the glory of release
And the grace to ourselves forgive
Ring in a hearty New Years cheer
Forget the past, not so long gone
And usher in a raucous song
To break the heart and bring it home
