I have been playing midis of O Fortuna (from the Carmina Burana), and explaining the Rota Fortuna (wheel of fortune) in medieval imagery to my hubby. Seemed moderately, if not exactly, appropriate for the changing of the year:
O Fortuna,
velut Luna
statu variabilis,
semper crescis
aut decrescis;
vita detestabilis
nunc obdurat
et tunc curat
ludo mentis aciem;
egestatem,
potestatem,
dissolvit ut glaciem.
Sors immanis
et inanis,
rota tu volubilis,
status malus,
vana salus
semper dissolubilis;
obumbrata
et velata
mihi quoque niteris;
nunc per ludum
dorsum nudum
fero tui sceleris.
Sors salutis
et virtutis
mihi nunc contraria;
est affectus
et defectus
semper in angaria.
hac in hora
sine mora
cordae pulsum tangite!
quod per sortem
sternit fortem,
mecum omnes plangite!
O Fortune, like the moon of ever changing state, you are always waxing or waning; hateful life now is brutal, now pampers our feelings with its game; poverty, power, it melts them like ice.
Fate, savage and empty, you are a turning wheel, your position is uncertain, your favour is idle and always likely to disappear; covered in shadows and veiled you bear upon me too; now my back is naked through the sport of your wickedness.
The chance of prosperity and of virtue is not now mine; whether willing or not, a man is always liable for Fortune's service. At this hour without delay touch the strings! Because through luck she lays low the brave, all join with me in lamentation!
Great flash movie of it is out there, too:
http://www.theflasharchive.com/f/f-278.htm
Most interesting. I will watch the video, thanks.
I so much enjoy your poetry. Countyline did good bringing your work over.
The king of Elfland had a daughter,
Dark and flashing were her eyes,
Once a mortal deigned to love her,
a story told with pain, and sighs.
The Queen of Elfland had a squire,
bright and saucy was this wight,
til Tam Lin, he met fair Janet
and left Faery with little fight.
Thomas the Rhymer rode to Elfand
on a steed of milk-white rare,
never more to tell a fable
when he returned mortal air.
Stay away from faery dancing,
Stay away from the faery ring
Else you'll find a mickle sadness
That comes when listening to how they sing.
(this would have been longer, but we're havinga thunderstorm...)