Ode to the Year

Farewell; though you were barren but a year ago

You have borne your ordinance of victory and woe

Into the urn of no return I place your memory

There is no future in the past of nevermore will be

Farewell; the passion I perceived when first I touched your gown

Has fallen where the autumn trees have laid their burnished crown

You teased into fruition my clenched dreams of yesterday

While, softly with your other hand you stole its gleam away

Farewell; your fringe is fading, cold, gold pool against the west

Your virgin garment splattered with my crass, clumsy caress

Though fain I still would kiss your feet, you slip into the blue

The pain of love is bittersweet; where is the proof of you?

Farewell; upon the wind you ride, obscure and potent force

While we await with baited hope your forerunners discourse

Within past’s permanence you seal your four-season embrace

And never turn to kiss the farewell teardrops from my face

Farewell; oh tender gift of grace from life's Giver above
Into bygones vast ethereal place is but yesterday's love
And from compassion's bowers hallowed mercy floods the sphere
As He imparts from hope's ramparts, to us, another year

© Janet Martin