Only a night from old to new! <br />Only a night, and so much wrought! <br />The Old Year's heart all weary grew, <br />But said: The New Year rest has brought." <br />The Old Year's hopes its heart laid down, <br />As in a grave; but trusting, said: <br />"The blossoms of the New Year's crown <br />Bloom from the ashes of the dead." <br />The Old Year's heart was full of greed; <br />With selfishness it longed and ached, <br />And cried: "I have not half I need. <br />My thirst is bitter and unslaked. <br />But to the New Year's generous hand <br />All gifts in plenty shall return; <br />True love it shall understand; <br />By all y failures it shall learn. <br />I have been reckless; it shall be <br />Quiet and calm and pure of life. <br />I was a slave; it shall go free, <br />And find sweet pace where I leave strife." <br /> <br />Only a night from old to new! <br />Never a night such changes brought. <br />The Old Year had its work to do; <br />No New Year miracles are wrought. <br /> <br />Always a night from old to new! <br />Night and the healing balm of sleep! <br />Each morn is New Year's morn come true, <br />Morn of a festival to keep. <br />All nights are sacred nights to make <br />Confession and resolve and prayer; <br />All days are sacred days to wake <br />New gladness in the sunny air. <br />Only a night from old to new; <br />Only a sleep from night to morn. <br />The new is but the old coem true; <br />Each sunrise sees a new year born.<br /><br />Helen Hunt Jackson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/new-year-s-morning-2/
