The bells are a-clamor, chimes have been loosed

there is a banquet of Hosannas in the air.

We have endured endless peaks of pain and valleys of loneliness;

We have lost beloveds we could not live without; yet we have lived.

We have encountered unforgivable cruelty; yet we have forgiven. Yet we

have been forgiven.

We have survived, flourished, and thrived with passion, compassion,

humor and style. We have been fortunate and worthy.

Now we stand, heavy laden, before a great gate which leads to the rest

of all time. It swings ajar, and we know at this critical moment that

not all we carry need enter when we enter.

We can evict hate and scorn from our souls; we can open clenched fists,

and let bigotry, malice and enmity fall back down the slope to yesterday.

We can lay down our burden of violence and step lightly over the lintel

into a vernal and newly-minted tomorrow.

We, who never saw a new century; we, who never saw a new one thousand years,

can join the hallelujah, the hymns, the paeans, the voices all

over the world.

We can shout or whisper, scream or mumble:

Happy New Millennium!

Happy New Century!!

Happy New Year!!!

Maya Angelou

2000 Millenium Celebration, Washington, D.C.