Under the familiar weight 
Of winter, conscience and the State, 
In loose formations of good cheer, 
Love, language, loneliness and fear, 
Towards the habits of next year, 
Along the streets the people flow, 
Singing or sighing as they go: 
Exalte, piano, or in doubt, 
All our reflections turn about 
A common meditative norm, 
Retrenchment, Sacrifice, Reform. 

-- from W.H. Auden, "New Year Letter" (1940)