Thursday, December 27, 2007

The Passing of the Year

The Passing of the Year
(by Robert W Service)

My glass is filled, my pipe is lit,
My den is all a cosy glow;
And snug before the fire I sit,
And wait to feel the old year go.
I dedicate to solemn thought
Amid my too-unthinking days,
This sober moment, sadly fraught
With much of blame, with little praise.

Old Year! upon the Stage of Time
You stand to bow your last adieu;
A moment, and the prompter's chime
Will ring the curtain down on you.
Your mien is sad, your step is slow;
You falter as a Sage in pain;
Yet turn, Old Year, before you go,
And face your audience again.

That sphinx-like face, remote, austere,
Let us all read, whate'er the cost:
O Maiden! why that bitter tear?
Is it for dear one you have lost?
Is it for fond illusion gone?
For trusted lover proved untrue?
O sweet girl-face, so sad, so wan
What hath the Old Year meant to you?

And you, O neighbour on my right
So sleek, so prosperously clad!
What see you in that aged wight
That makes your smile so gay and glad?
What opportunity unmissed?
What golden gain, what pride of place?
What splendid hope? O Optimist!
What read you in that withered face?

And You, deep shrinking in the gloom,
What find you in that filmy gaze?
What menace of a tragic doom?
What dark, condemning yesterdays?
What urge to crime, what evil done?
What cold, confronting shape of fear?
O haggard, haunted, hidden One
What see you in the dying year?

And so from face to face I flit,
The countless eyes that stare and stare;
Some are with approbation lit,
And some are shadowed with despair.
Some show a smile and some a frown;
Some joy and hope, some pain and woe:
Enough! Oh, ring the curtain down!
Old weary year! it's time to go.

My pipe is out, my glass is dry;
My fire is almost ashes too;
But once again, before you go,
And I prepare to meet the New:
Old Year! a parting word that's true,
For we've been comrades, you and I --
I thank God for each day of you;
There! bless you now! Old Year, good-bye!

54 comments:

Persimmon Frost said...

And a very happy New Year to you and yours. May it lead to your heart's desire.

Betty said...

Happy New Year to you too! What a wonderful poem and illustration.

Angel Heart Designs said...

WOW! I love your blog...and thank you for visiting Make Mine Pink's blog & commenting on my pink clock's posting...Angel Heart Designs is going French, which I noticed you love, send me an idea a ceramic one..from my website...under "win a gift" & I'll make it for you as a gift! Love your post about "Best Friends"...mine BFF of 40 years...YIKES....spent the holidays w/me and my family, it was SO much fun!....Happy Holiday wishes to you!! Cindy Clay Queen

Rosemary said...

Happy New Year!
Rosemary

Deb Silva said...

Thanks for your lovely comments on my blog ~ Best to you in the new year!!!
xooo
deb

Karen Cole said...

Happy holidays, Gypsy!

Barbara Jacksier said...

And La Bonne Annee to you, too. Doesn't everything sound better in French?
Barbara

Deb S. said...

HOPE YOUR CHRISTMAS WAS SPECIAL AND ALL THE BEST IS WISHED FOR YOU IN THE NEW YEAR!

Linda said...

Great poem-lots to think about there. In any case, I hope you have a great New Year filled with health, happiness, joy, and fun blogging.

Anonymous said...

Happy new year.

Anonymous said...

thank a lot for your wishes
très bonne année à toi aussi
bises
Delfée

Anonymous said...

Je te souhaite également la plus douce et heureuse des années. Biz Santolline

Denise said...

Thank you for the lovely poem and picture! Love your blog! All good wishes for the New Year !

Anonymous said...

Happy new year!

Vintage Rose Collection said...

Thank you for visiting my blog and your kind words :)
I loved your new years poem...
Wishing you a happy, healthy and shining new year!
God Bless, Jo-Anne

Unknown said...

I have been away too long from here...lots of catching up to do.

A Happy Healthy New Year to you!!!

Bella said...

beautiful Gypsy!!

your Christmas looked dreamy, wish I could have seen it in real life!

hope all is wonderful in your world & I pray this year will be the best ever for you & your family!!

xo ~Bella

Sugar Bear said...

A very Happy New Year to you. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece.
Karla

rochambeau said...

Happy New Year Gypsy,
May it be an exotic, colorful, exciting one!

Constance

olhares futuros said...

happy new year fullllllll of happiness ;))

ChatrinesLiving said...

You have such a nice blog! Wish you a Happy New Year!
And I will come back to visit your blog soon!
Love,
chatrine from Norway:)

The Nostalgia Fairy said...

A lovely poem. Thanks for your kind Christmas greeting on my blog. I would like to wish you and yours a very happy new year.
Sandi x

Sandra Evertson said...

Happy New Year!
Sandra Evertson

Kims Art said...

I love your blog! I love your style!
Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!
KimsArt

Anonymous said...

Thank you for you rnice comment on my blog. It's nice to know that somebody at the opposite of the World is visiting me through Internet ! Hope you have had a nice Xmas to, and wish you a Happy New Year !!!
Florence

Patri Jorge said...

Happy New Year!!!! XoXo

Sanja said...

Happy New Year to you and yours!:-)

Warm regards,
Sanja

smilnsigh said...

What a lovely New Year's poem. And illustration, also. Just lovely.

I wish you a Happy and a Healthy New Year.

Mari-Nanci

Agapequilt said...

Happy new year 2008

Anonymous said...

Blessings for a fabulous 2008!!

Susan Tuttle said...

Happy New Year to you and your family!

Susan
xo

Laura Frankstone said...

Happy New Year! I've been away for far too long and it's so nice to see what you've been up to in recent months.

anna k. said...

Happy New Year!!!!

Hug from a cold, cold Stockholm!

Anonymous said...

"Thank you for visiting me recently." You are a joy and such pleasure to read.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!!"

Hugs,
xo Jeannene @
Love Conquers All

Jen of MadeByGirl said...

Hello!
Just passing by to wish you a happy new year!!

Jen Ramos
'Earth Friendly DESIGNER Cards'
www.madebygirl.com

Anonymous said...

Happy new year !!! Your house looked so festive at Christmas and looks like you had a wonderful time on holiday !!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and saying hi !!

xo,
Beth
www.bethquinndesigns.com

Anonymous said...

Happy new year 2008!Love and success

Les notes bleues d'une gourmande

Anonymous said...

Happy New year 2008 !!! Bizzzzz

Anonymous said...

JE TE SOUHAITE UNE BELLE ANNEE 2008.

Lavendel & Romantik said...

I wich you the same,and your family....Nice that you find my side.....all hugs/Majsan

Anonymous said...

Happy new year to you !!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year! May blessings abound.

Blame It on Paris said...

I love the Vie parisienne cover. Christmas at your house looks beautiful! Here's hoping for a wonderful year for you.

Laura

Crafty Mama said...

A Happy New Year to you too!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy new year to all!! I like this blog so much..I bought very nice jacket from WilsonsLeather store at this new year...

TIG said...

Happy New Year! Thanks so much for stopping by my site and for your lovely comment. All the best for 2008!

Di Overton said...

Happy 2008 Gypsy so lovely to see you back.

primdollie said...

Oh how lovely and wishing you a fab New Year as well!! may it be all you hope for and more!!! hugs Linda

Anonymous said...

Bonne année !!!!

Wish you have a wonderful year
and carry on sharing with us moments and beautiful things.

Hugs from France

purple area said...

Happy New Year, I hope you will have a wonderful and great year. Loved your poem!

Anonymous said...

Je te souhaite une très belle nouvelle année :)

carylsrealm said...

Wishing you all the best in the new year!

jessielavon@yahoo.com said...

Hi darling,have been in hospital and just getting around to visit,hope y'all had great holidays.

Goddess Findings said...

Gorgeous poem...just the thing to post to herald in 2008. Glad I popped over here! Janice

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