NEW YEAR.

I saw on the hills of the morning,

The form of the New Year arise,

He stood like a statue adorning

The world with a background of skies.

There were courage and grace in his beautiful face,

And hope in his glorious eyes.

“I come from Time’ s boundless forever,”

He said, with a voice like a song.

“I come as a friend to endeavor,

I come as a foe to all wrong.

To the sad and afraid I bring promise of aid,

And the weak I will gird and make strong.

“I bring you more blessings than terrors,

I bring you more sunlight than gloom,

I tear out your page of old errors,

And hide them away in Time’ s tomb.

I reach you clean hands, and lead on to the lands

Where the lilies of peace are in bloom.”