The Passing of the Year

Look not with sadness on the passing of the year,
Behold it as you would a sunset glow
That streaks the sky with red and gold ’ere night descends
To say, "Fair day, ’tis time for you to go."

Regrets will come, for resolution oft we break.
The unsaid word, the duty never done.
Lessons O so hard to take and understand—
Ah! But have you counted victories won?

God turns a brand new page within our book of life
For us to start a chapter fresh and new,
Forget the blots and errors of the pages past,
Remember, God in love forgets them too.

So greet the New Year coming in with upturned face.
Upon the ladder‑rung we can’t stand still
But must climb upward, step by step to reach our goal,
And thus our fondest hopes we shall fulfil.

Poems of the Way
Alice M. Ripper