A Farewell Sonnet for NOTIS Horizon

by Alan Alexander-Manifold

29 June 1994

That new horizon, recently observed,
Has disappeared behind a veil of cloud.
Was it a thing of beauty or endowed
By distance with a beauty undeserved?
And does the cloud portend a coming storm
Whose violent destruction we should fear,
Tearing apart that which we hold most dear;
All rearranged in some unpleasant form?
Perhaps it brings a light, refreshing rain,
Which, though its inconvenience we must bear,
Will gently purify the earth and air,
Clearing our sight and making things more plain.
	Not 'til the cloud is lifted will we know;
	We wait, and watch which way the wind will blow.