Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO THE NEW YEAR, by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES Poet Analysis First Line: Welcome, new year, but be more kind Last Line: I'll thank the lord the devil knows. Alternate Author Name(s): Davies, W. H. Subject(s): Holidays; New Year | ||||||||
Welcome, New Year, but be more kind Than thy dead father left behind; If I may kiss no mouth that's red, Give me the open mouth instead Of a black bottle of old wine To gurgle in its neck and mine. Let not my belly once complain For want of meat, or fruit, or grain; But keep it always tight and quiet -- No matter if with drink or diet. And, New Year, may I never need In vain a pipeful of strong weed, That sends my baby clouds on high To join big brothers in the sky. No gold I ask, but that I may Have some small silver every day. Not for one night let sleep forsake My side, and show the Morning break; Let me not hear Time's strokes in bed, And feel the pain of one thought dead, Who hears the earth cast in his grave. I care not what poor clothes I have; I'll only think it shame and sin To show my naked thigh or shin When the wind blows. Give me, New Year, Tobacco, bread and meat, and beer. Also a few old books, so I Can read about an age gone by; But as for how the present goes -- I'll thank the Lord the Devil knows. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NEW YEAR'S POEM by MARGARET AVISON A SPEED OF HISTORY by MARGARET AVISON NEW YEAR'S DAY by DAVID LEHMAN LINES FOR THE NEW YEAR by JULIE CARR I AM RUNNING INTO A NEW YEAR by LUCILLE CLIFTON FOR THE NEW YEAR (2) by ROBERT CREELEY A BIRD'S ANGER by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES |
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