Before the gate of storms two dim shapes met:
[Cold are the winds when December flies;]
The one was robed in weeds of sad regret,
But saw the shining of the other’s eyes.
Then he who wore the seal of sorrows great:
[Dark are the nights when December goes;]
“Alas! who art thou, that with face elate
Peerest so eagerly through whirling snows?”
Clear rang the other’s answer in his ear:
[Crisp are the snows when December speeds;]
“I am the spirit of the coming year;
My name is Hope, and always hope succeeds.”
Slow turned the sad one from before the gate:
[Shadows are black when December parts;]
“O eager one, within the future wait
Thy coming, pain and woe and broken hearts.
I am the spirit of the going year;
[Sad are the hours when December flies;]
My name is Loss, and me all men do fear,
For in my bosom twelve months’ anguish lies!”
(Oscar Fay Adams)
More Poetry from Oscar Fay Adams:
Oscar Fay Adams Poems based on Topics: Man, Sadness, Pain, Night, Name, Hope, Future, Fear, Lies & Deceit, Weeds- A Tale of Tuscany (Oscar Fay Adams Poems)
- Sicut Patribus (Oscar Fay Adams Poems)
- Gawain And Marjorie (Oscar Fay Adams Poems)
- The Vision of Sir Lionel (Oscar Fay Adams Poems)
- Sir Evergreen (Oscar Fay Adams Poems)
- The Pleading Of Dagonet (Oscar Fay Adams Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Man Poems, Night Poems, Sadness Poems, Name Poems, Hope Poems, Pain Poems, Fear Poems, Lies & Deceit Poems, Future Poems, Weeds PoemsBased on Keywords: peerest