Poems (Curwen)/The New Year
For works with similar titles, see The New Year.
The New Year.
TO MY OLD FRIEND.
Another milestone reached to-day By you and I: Dear, as we older grow, how fast The precious moments fly! It seems but yesterday I sent Fond greeting unto thee; And, lo! another year has passed Into eternity.
Oft—in the years agone—hast thou My lagging footsteps spurred, And, with a kindly word or smile, My fainting spirit cheered; And tho' we clasp not hands to-day, As we were wont to do, I know your thoughts will fly to me As mine have flown to you.
We've said "Farewell" to the old year, And "Welcome" to the new; And now, with added zeal, let's each Our different paths pursue: For each must start afresh to-day Another mile to tread, Not knowing what lies in our path, What trouble looms ahead.
But let us cheerfully set out Upon life's chequered road, Grateful for all the mercies past, Still trusting in our God; Thankful for sweet communion, tho' Some hands we have not clasped, Knowing that they will meet our own When the last milestone's pass'd.