Poems (Curwen)/The New Year

by Annie Isabel Curwen

The New Year.

TO MY OLD FRIEND.

Another milestone reached to-day
 By you and I:
Dear, as we older grow, how fast
 The precious moments fly!
It seems but yesterday I sent
 Fond greeting unto thee;
And, lo! another year has passed
 Into eternity.

Oft—in the years agone—hast thou
 My lagging footsteps spurred,
And, with a kindly word or smile,
 My fainting spirit cheered;
And tho' we clasp not hands to-day,
 As we were wont to do,
I know your thoughts will fly to me
 As mine have flown to you.

We've said "Farewell" to the old year,
 And "Welcome" to the new;
And now, with added zeal, let's each
 Our different paths pursue:
For each must start afresh to-day
 Another mile to tread,
Not knowing what lies in our path,
 What trouble looms ahead.

But let us cheerfully set out
 Upon life's chequered road,
Grateful for all the mercies past,
 Still trusting in our God;
Thankful for sweet communion, tho'
 Some hands we have not clasped,
Knowing that they will meet our own
 When the last milestone's pass'd.