On New Year's day you started in With heart of grace absolved from sin, With forward look, with purpose true, And all the world was fair to you. But soon the devil found a crack And pierced your armor, front or back; And soon, your conduct past excuse, You sadly cried, "Oh, what's the use?" Brother! the wheelings of the sun In endless hopeful circles run: They sweep serenely through the air, And you may start from anywhere. For common use we count the year From one sole point in its career; But you, adopt a lordly tone, And fix a year that's all your own! Adopt this very day and hour As genesis of hope and power. Forget the failures left behind, And on the future fix your mind. Break with the follies of the past! Master your weaknesses at last! Stiffen your muscles! Watch and pray! Stoutly begin a year to-day! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BEETHOVEN'S THIRD SYMPHONY by RICHARD HOVEY COTTON MILL FUNERAL by STEWART ATKINS THE LAME SHEPHERD by KATHARINE LEE BATES OF A WINNOWER OF WHEAT TO THE WINDS by JOACHIM DU BELLAY THE SPAN OF LIFE by LEVI BISHOP BBC by CHARLES WILLIAM BRODRIBB ON CLEADA'S HILL THE MOON IS BRIGHT by JEREMIAH JOSEPH CALLANAN |