Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, UPON THE THRESHOLD, by G. E.


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

UPON THE THRESHOLD, by                    
First Line: Once more we stand with half-reluctant feet
Last Line: So shut the book and bid the year good-by!
Subject(s): Holidays; New Year


ONCE more we stand with half-reluctant feet
Upon the threshold of another year;
That line where Past and Present seem to meet
In stronger contrast than they do elsewhere.

Look back a moment. Does the prospect please,
Or does the weary heart but sigh regret?
Can Recollection smile, or, ill at ease
With what is past, wish only to forget?

Say, canst thou smile when Memory's lingering gaze
Once more recalls the dying year to sight?
Wouldst thou live o'er again those changing days,
Or bid them fade forever into night?

A solemn question, and the faltering heart
Scarce dare say "Yes," yet will not quite say "No;"
For joy and sadness both have played their part
In making up the tale of "long ago."

Here Memory sees the golden sunlight gleam
Across the path of life and shine awhile;
And now the picture changes like a dream,
And sorrow dims the eyes and kills the smile.

So -- it has gone -- where all has gone before;
The moaning wind has sung the dead year's dirge,
Time's waves roll on against the crumbling shore,
And sinks the worn-out bark beneath the surge.

Here ends the checkered page of prose and verse,
Of shapely words and lines writ all awry,
There they must stand for better or for worse;
So shut the book and bid the year good-by!





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