THE NEW YEAR'S LEDGER

New Zealand Tablet, 28 December 1911, Page 2669

THE NEW YEAR'S LEDGER

I took a ledger fair and fine, And now, I said, when days are glad

I'll write with bright red ink the line, And write with black when they are bad. So that they'll stand before my sight As clear apart as day and night.

I will not heed the changing skies, Nor if it shine nor if it rain

But if there comes some sweet surprise Of friendship, love, or honest gain, Why then it shall be understood That day is written down as good.

And if to anyone I love,

A blessing meets them on the way, That will a double pleasure prove, So it shall be a happy day; And if some day I've cause to dread, Pass harmless by, I'll write it red.

What do I see on looking back? A red-lined book before me lies,

With here and there a thread of black, That like a passing shadow flies, A shadow, it must be confessed, That often rose in my own breast.

And I have found, 'tis good to note, The blessing that is mine each day; For happiness is ' vainly sought In some dim future far away. Just try my ledger for a year, Then look with grateful wonder back, And you will find—there is no fear The red days far exceed the black.