"1907-1908" by Annie M. Toohey (1907)

1907-1908.

BY ANNIE M. TOOHEY.

Looking back o'er the days that have vanished,

        Yet again we in tenderness may

Often turn but in vain to retrace them,

        O'er the paths where we once loved to stray;

They are gone, or have changed in the passing

        Of time with its roses and rue,

As we turn from the door of the Old year

        To lift up the latch of the New.

There were blossoms of Hope that we gathered

        For the crown of ambition some day,

There were flowers of Mercy we scattered,

        Aye to cheer and to brighten the way;

There were beacons of Faith that still linger

        To guide us afar o'er the blue,

As we turn from the door of the Old year

        To lift up the latch of the New.

There were altars of friendship whose tapers

        Faded out in the fleeting of Time,

There were whispers of Love's tender rapture,

        Only now like a faraway chime;

There are fragments of past cups of pleasure

        Yet wistfully scattered in view,

As we turn from the door of the Old year

        To lift up the latch of the New.

There were hands that in silence we folded

        'Neath the tears that in sorrow must flow,

There are graves on the hillside beyond us,

        Hidden deep in the cold winter snow;

There are mem'ries that never can leave us,

        Because we are loyal and true,

As we turn from the door of the Old year

        To lift up the latch of the New.

There are loved ones we still fondly cherish

        And held like a balm to the heart,

There are treasures yet clinging unto us,

        From whom, oh, we never can part;

There are moments of joy and of gladness

        Awaiting our rapturous view,

As we turn from the door of the Old year

        To lift up the latch of the New.

Troy Times. December 31, 1907.