THE FLEETING YEAR.

Kumara Times, Issue 1641, 31 December 1881, Page 3

THE FLEETING YEAR.

The fleeting year now softly glides away intd eternal space; And in its' Shadows'; yes, say what wo may, we each and all can trace How well the past the glossy mirror there Ib held aldft. Go ! handle it with care ! Scan well the image it reflects to view, and what do we descry 1 ■ The same old man in which there's nothing new j ah 1 yes; the sullen eye, The pale wan cheek, the wasted form, The one firm pine's now bent beneath the storm. Each limb and branch hang loosely on the tree, The stem, too, shows decay, Its leaves and flowers We once so loved to see In truth, now where are they 1 No leaf is left the summer breeze to fan Emblem of winter and old age in man. Hold up the mirror, well too, • noble youth, And see what thou canst trace — A living lie, I'm sure there's little truth depicted in thy face Those lines Uf care that mark thee so in bloom Denote a reckless life, an early tomb. And to you, hiaideris, ye who love so well to ltidk the mirror through, Search, keen your features, see no secret tale iS there disclosed to view, Ye trace rid act throughout the passing year . , To raise a blush, bring to {he eye a tear; Now for you dne arid all, both grave and gay, we breath this sacred, prayer— Should in the coming year life"s flickering ray burn low and light as air, The lingering spark from earth's frail temple past In heaven that soul may find celestial bliss. Nospur: