January 3, 2012: "The Passing of the Year"

–excerpted from “The Passing of the Year” by Robert Service–

“. . . .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 that 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!”

[by Robert W. Service, first published in "Rhymes of a Rolling Stone" Toronto 1912]

 

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