What does the New Year hold in store for me, What hopes, what joys, what peace is mine to be? Will Providence, who holds the gauge of years Within the hollow of His hand, lend ears And heed my shallow importunities That this, the coming year, shall bend its knees To my imperious and boastful will, And ward from me each dark, impending ill? I know not what the New Year brings, nor dare Attempt to read its portent scroll; if fair Its prospects are, I shall rejoice indeed. If storm clouds loom, shall I then cringe and plead For fairer skies?—God grant I'll play the man And take what comes, conformable to plan. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TIRED by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON BEFORE A PAINTING by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON TUNK (A LECTURE ON MODERN EDUCATION) by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON ON HUNTINGDON'S 'MIRANDA' by SIDNEY LANIER ON A YOUNG LADY'S SIXTH ANNIVERSARY by KATHERINE MANSFIELD |