The Passing of the Year
by Robert W. Service
My glass is filled, my pipe is lit,
My den is all a cosy glow;
And snug before the fire I sit,
And wait to feel the old year go.
I dedicate to solemn thought
Amid my too-unthinking days,
This sober moment, sadly fraught
With much of blame, with little praise.
Old Year! upon the Stage of Time
You stand to bow your last adieu;
A moment, and the prompter’s chime
Will ring the curtain down on you.
Your mien is sad, your step is slow;
You falter as a Sage in pain;
Yet turn, Old Year, before you go,
And face your audience again.
That sphinx-like face, remote, austere,
Let us all read, whate’er the cost:
O Maiden! why that bitter tear?
Is it for dear one you have lost?
Is it for fond illusion gone?
For trusted lover proved untrue?
O sweet girl-face, so sad, so wan
What hath the Old Year meant to you?
And you, O neighbour on my right
So sleek, so prosperously clad!
What see you in that aged wight
That makes your smile so gay and glad?
What opportunity unmissed?
What golden gain, what pride of place?
What splendid hope? O Optimist!
What read you in that withered face?
And You, deep shrinking in the gloom,
What find you in that filmy gaze?
What menace of a tragic doom?
What dark, condemning yesterdays?
What urge to crime, what evil done?
What cold, confronting shape of fear?
O haggard, haunted, hidden One
What see you in the dying year?
And so from face to face I flit,
The countless eyes that stare and stare;
Some are with approbation lit,
And some are shadowed with despair.
Some show a smile and some a frown;
Some joy and hope, some pain and woe:
Enough! Oh, ring the curtain down!
Old weary year! it’s time to go.
My pipe is out, my glass is dry;
My fire is almost ashes too;
But once again, before you go,
And I prepare to meet the New:
Old Year! a parting word that’s true,
For we’ve been comrades, you and I —
I thank God for each day of you;
There! bless you now! Old Year, good-bye!
Happy New Year Nancy! Love the photo!
Happy New Year Nancy!
Happy New Year to you, Nancy. Love the photo! All the best in the coming year. :)
Wonderful photos and thanks so much for so much inspiration with your pictures in 2010. Happy New Year x
5 picks for you.
5 wish for the new year 2011.
– 1 – health
– 2 – happiness
– 3 – love
– 4 – no pain
– 5 – and a better life.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Happy New Year and best garden wishes to you Nancy…here’s to a fabulous 2011!!
Happy New Year, Nancy dear. I look forward to another year of poetry and glorious images here!
What a beautiful image Nancy. Happy and Blessed New Year to you!
Have a Happy New Year, Nancy. Beautiful photo and poem. I have always liked Robert Service.
Jan
Always Growing
Happy New Year Nancy and Happy gardening in 2011. That is a lovely image too.
A very happy new year to you as well, Nancy. Lovely poem and pic.
Dear nancy, Happy New Year~thank you for a year of inspiring posts and marvelous photos, gail
Lovely photos and a very Happy New Year to you Nancy. So pleased to hear you’re enjoying your family right now.