Father Ryan's Poems (99)

New Year

    Each year cometh with all his days, Some are shadowed and some are bright； He beckons¹ us on until he stays Kneeling with us 'neath Christmas night.

    Kneeling under the stars that gem² The holy sky, o'er the humble³ place, When the world's sweet Child of Bethlehem Rested on Mary, full of grace.

    Not only the Bethlehem in the East, But altar Bethlehem everywhere, When the ~Gloria~ of the first great feast Rings forth⁴ its gladness on the air.

    Each year seemeth loath⁵ to go, And leave the joys of Christmas day； In lands of sun and in lands of snow, The year still longs awhile to stay.

    A little while, 'tis hard to part From this Christ blessed here below, Old year！ and in thy aged⁶ heart I hear thee sing so sweet and low.

    A song like this, but sweeter far, And yet as if with a human tone, Under the blessed Christmas star, And thou descendest from thy throne.

    "A few more days and I am gone, The hours move swift and sure along； Yet still I fain would linger on In hearing of the Christmas song.

    "I bow to Him who rules all years； Thrice blessed is His high behest； Nor will He blame me if, with tears, I pass to my eternal rest.

    "Ah, me！ to altars every day I brought the sun and the holy Mass； The people came by my light to pray, While countless⁷ priests did onward⁸ pass.

    "The words of the Holy Thursday night To one another from east to west； And the holy Host on the altar white Would take its little half-hour's rest.

    "And every minute of every hour The Mass bell rang with its sound so sweet, While from shrine⁹ to shrine, with tireless power, And heaven's love, walked the nailed feet.

    "I brought the hours for ~Angelus~ bells, And from a thousand temple towers They wound their sweet and blessed spell Around the hearts of all the hours. "Every day has a day of grace For those who fain would make them so； I saw o'er the world in every place The wings of guardian¹⁰ angels glow.

    "Men！ could you hear the song I sing —— But no, alas¹¹！ it cannot be so！ My heir that comes would only bring Blessings¹² to bless you here below."