Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TURN OF THE YEARS, by H. B. FRIEDLANDER



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TURN OF THE YEARS, by                    
First Line: How may we know you, year of all?
Last Line: But you, the past.
Subject(s): Jews; Memory; Past; Judaism


HOW may we know you, year of all?
You come as others came,
Night-sandaled, and your flying feet
Set bells a-swing in every street—
But you are dumb.

We run, unwearied travelers
Still on the upward slope
Of life, to take your strong young hand,
To search, to dare, to understand—
Pilgrims of hope.

You lead us on, you lead us up;
We seek your avatar
By fords of faith, the pass of tears,
Peaks of delight—O rest of years,
You take us far!

And then you go. We hear your voice,
We know your name at last,
You were the Future that we sought,
And all the years may bring us naught
But you, the Past.





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