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...THE LITTLE BOY LOST, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE LONELY HOUSE by EMILY DICKINSON THE LOST WAR-SLOOP by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR A WORKING PARTY by SIEGFRIED SASSOON THE GRAVE OF SHELLEY by OSCAR WILDE DESERT NIGHT by FRANCES DAVIS ADAMS ECLOGUE ON ELIZABETH BELSHAM by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD IN VINCULIS; SONNETS WRITTEN IN AN IRISH PRISON: A LESSON IN HUMILITY by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT NIGHT AND MORNING SONGS: 14. RING-DOVE SONG by GORDON BOTTOMLEY |