WE climb the hill; the mist conceals <br />That valley where we could not stay; <br />Surely this hill's crest, gained, reveals <br />The glory of the sunlit day. <br />The hill is climbed. Still shadow-land-- <br />Still darkling looms another hill. <br />Oh, weary feet!--climb that to find <br />A new ascent, 'mid shadows still! <br />We dare not stop or think of rest, <br />This one hill may be all that lies <br />Between us and our souls' desire-- <br />The splendour of the eastern skies. <br /> <br /> <br />Through long long lives we till and tend, <br />Sow, weed, and water, all in vain; <br />Without the flower we looked to find, <br />Each year springs blooms and dies again. <br />Bowed down with our unanswered prayers, <br />Our face averted from our past, <br />We watch each year grow green, and cry, <br />'Surely this brings our flower at last!' <br />Failure on failure! What! tired out? <br />Too tired to live? Heart, dare you die <br />When this new year may bud and bear <br />Your longed-for flower of Liberty?<br /><br />Edith Nesbit<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/new-year-song/
