New Year's Morning

The evening that is always remembered for its celebrations, for its glitz and glamour, for the party and the hours of enjoyment with family and friends, New Year's Eve is indeed celebrated in different ways all around the world. There have been many poems, verses and songs written by famous writers and poets to mark the arrival of New Year and to welcome the array of opportunities and possibilities which it brings along with it. Out of the number of poems that serve as a prelude to New Year's Eve, Helen Hunt Jackson's poem 'New Year's Morning' surely is one of the most celebrated. This poem by Helen is about the annoying expression of the 'old year' that not only frets over its fate, but is also jealous of the new chances brought by the New Year. The poem is a reminder to mankind, a reminder of all the opportunities that each day brings along with it. It inspires people to live every day as a new day and not to waste time in useless pursuits. For a clearer perspective on the poem, read on further.

New Year's Morning
Only a night from old to new!
Only a night, and so much wrought!
The Old Year's heart all weary grew,
But said: "The New Year rest has brought
The Old Year's hopes its heart laid down,
As in a grave; but trusting, said:
"The blossoms of the New Year's crown
Bloom from the ashes of the dead."
The Old Year's heart was full of greed;
With selfishness it longed and ached,
And cried: "I have not half I need.
My thirst is bitter and unslaked.
But to the New Year's generous hand
All gifts in plenty shall return;
True love it shall understand;
By all my failures it shall learn.
I have been reckless; it shall be
Quiet and calm and pure of life.
I was a slave; it shall go free,
And find sweet pace where I leave strife."
Only a night from old to new!
Never a night such changes brought.
The Old Year had its work to do;
No New Year miracles are wrought.

Always a night from old to new!
Night and the healing balm of sleep!
Each morn is New Year's morn come true,
Morn of a festival to keep.
All nights are sacred nights to make
Confession and resolve and prayer;
All days are sacred days to wake
New gladness in the sunny air.
Only a night from old to new;
Only a sleep from night to morn.
The new is but the old come true;
Each sunrise sees a new year born.