Classic and Contemporary Poetry
I PACK MY TRUNK, by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS Poet's Biography First Line: What shall I pack up to carry Last Line: From the old year to the new. Subject(s): Holidays; New Year | ||||||||
What shall I pack up to carry From the old year to the new? I'll leave out the frets that harry, Thoughts unjust and doubts untrue. Angry words -- ah, how I rue them! Selfish deeds and choices blind -- Any one is welcome to them! I shall leave them all behind. Plans? the trunk would need be double. Hopes? they'd burst the stoutest lid. Sharp ambitions? last year's stubble! Take them, old year! Keep them hid! All my fears shall be forsaken, All my failures manifold; Nothing gloomy shall be taken To the new year from the old. But I'll pack the sweet remembrance Of dear friendship's least delight; All my jokes -- I'll carry them hence; All my store of fancies bright; My contentment -- would 'twere greater! All the courage I possess; All my trust -- there's not much weight there! All my faith, or more or less; All my tasks! I'll not abandon One of these, my pride, my health; Every trivial or grand one Is a noble mine of wealth. And I'll pack my choicest treasure, Smiles I've seen, and praises heard, Memories of unselfish pleasure, Cheery looks, the kindly word. Ah, my riches silence cavil! To my rags I bid adieu! Like a Croesus I shall travel From the old year to the new. | 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 BATTLE SONG (WRITTEN IN THE WORLD WAR) by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS |
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