Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GOOD-BYE, OLD YEAR, by MIRIAM DEL BANCO



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GOOD-BYE, OLD YEAR, by                    
First Line: Good-bye, old year! For you and we must part
Last Line: Our prayers to him above.
Subject(s): Absence; Heaven; Holidays; Love; New Year; Prayer; Separation; Isolation; Paradise


Good-bye, Old Year! for you and we must part;
We place a hand in thine in mute farewell;
Our lips would fain reveal, but cannot tell
The joy and pain that tremble through each heart.
We look into thine eye—
We can but smile and sigh.

Good-bye, Old Year! we leave thee with regret,
For thou to us hast been a loving friend—
Hast scattered joys and blessings without end—
Hast given days whose sunbeams, even yet,
On mem'ry's peaceful night
Reflect a golden light.

Good-bye, Old Year! we leave thee with content;
We would not see again thy withered form;
Oh, thou hast bared our hearts to many a storm—
Hast oft from Pain his ebon shadows lent;
Hast made our hopes, so sweet,
As dust beneath our feet!

Good-bye, Old Year! and take to thine abode,
To thy dread sepulcher—the vaults of Time—
The persecution, prejudice and crime
That our poor brethren o'er the seas do goad;
Take with thee all their pain,
And turn not back again.

Good-bye, Old Year! we gather flow'rs for thee,
We robe thy form in white; for, in thine arms
Full many a loved one, sheltered from all harms
By Death's cold kiss, lies slumb'ring peacefully.
Bear them to yon blue skies—
Bear them to Paradise.

Good-bye, Old Year! step o'er life's checkered floor
With dream and hope and aspiration sweet,
With care and sorrow, trial and defeat;
Our glances follow to the open door
And watch thee fade from view
While the Young Year steps through.

Good-bye, Old Year! e'en thou, the child of Time,
Must yield thy place and be no more of earth—
Must leave thy throne to one of later birth.
For thee a thousand fragrant flow'r-bells chime.
Bear, on the wings of love,
Our prayers to Him above.





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