Edward wears a coat of blue, Not a thread that isn't new; Not a wrinkle, not a tear, Not the smallest stain is there; How the dandy buttons shine On that garment superfine, And how Edward, through and through, Feels the coat supremely new! Billy wears a coat of black, Rather flabby in the back, Rather shiny on the sleeve, And -- a grease-spot, I believe. It is mended, cleaned, and pressed, And must answer for his best, Yet, for all his folks can do, Billy knows it isn't new! Here, my lassie and my lad, Is a New Year to be had. Shall it be a year of black, Shiny sleeve and wrinkled back, Here a grim, persistent stain, There a spot that will remain, Shabby places half worn through, Mended up and made to do? Nay, old Time! with kindly heart Grant us all a good, fresh start; Not a grief to carry on From the twelvemonth that is gone; Not a hatred, shame, or fear That can soil the coming year! Thus alone, for me and you, Is the New Year truly new. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...STUDY FOR A GEOGRAPHICAL TRAIL; 4. NEW JERSEY by CLARENCE MAJOR THINGS ARE WHAT THEY SEEM by MARIANNE MOORE DIVINA COMMEDIA (INTRODUCTORY POEMS): 1 by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE MERRY SUMMER MONTHS by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL GOOD-NIGHT TO THE SEASON by WINTHROP MACKWORTH PRAED OVERTURE TO A DANCE OF LOCOMOTIVES by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS |