Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NEW YEAR'S EVE ON BROADWAY, by PERCY STICKNEY GRANT



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NEW YEAR'S EVE ON BROADWAY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Friends, what are we seeking this new year's eve
Last Line: But a bursting blossom of life.
Subject(s): Broadway, New York City; Holidays; New Year


Friends, what are we seeking this New Year's eve,
Crowding the sidewalks of a great city;
Waiting impatiently the midnight bells,
Slowly, solemnly sounding the hour
That ends a year, --
That begins a year?
What means this tumult of noise?
Trumpets by thousands, whistles of steam
From dark factories, steamers, ferry boats, tug boats,
Stridently batter the heavens.
My ears burst. Tense, insistent the cry --
Victory's exultation. What Victory?
Life over another menacing year;
Life over fate, mishaps, sorrow.
So we scream our joy, we challenge heaven.
Out of the battle of life we survive,
Calling for more life.
We join hands. With whom? No matter.
Young or old; rich or poor.
How that old man bounds about!
"Ladies chain," with policemen, wild girls, and bums.
Finding expression at last
Out of his dull, dead day,
His patient, meek toil.
He has suffered life like a weight.
Now he wakes, wishes, hopes -- yes, and prays --
Shouts, dances, joys, fills himself with life,
Gaily in touch with his kind,
No longer grave, quiet or cold;
But a bursting blossom of life.





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