GOD'S NEW YEAR'S GIFT

By Thomas O'Hagan

What shall the coming year bring forth,

O Lord, who rulest the land?

For the navies of the sea and air

Are but stubble in Thy hand.

The battalions in the field go forth;

They arm in mighty line;

Do they kneel to know Thy holy will?

Have they asked from Thee a sign?

The kings invoke Thy holy name,

In their carnage and their strife;

But the purple gift it was Thine to give

Recks not of pity nor life:

For they're drunk with the wine of lustful power,

And seared with the sins of earth;

And their prayers and preachments now mock Thy name,

And make of Thy laws but mirth.