Old and New Year Ditties
Across three poems, a speaker faces the turning year tired by loss but trusts that good or ill can further the journey to heaven. At the year's last vigil, the speaker asks loved ones and blessed spirits to watch, then affirms Jesus' presence in loneliness. The World, the Soul, and God speak successively of decay, readiness for the Bridegroom, and promised renewal; the speaker assents to each.
By Christina Georgina Rossetti · Genre: Devotional Poetry, Meditative Poetry, Seasonal Poetry · 711 words
First lines
1.
New Year met me somewhat sad: / Old Year leaves me tired, / Stripped of favorite things I had, / Balked of much desired: / Yet farther on my road to-day, / God willing, farther on my way.
Genres
- Devotional Poetry — The speaker trusts God to guide the journey to heaven, addresses Jesus in prayer, and accepts God's call to wait and trust.
- Meditative Poetry — The speaker considers losses at the year's end and answers successive voices describing bodily decay, spiritual watchfulness, and renewal.
- Seasonal Poetry — The old and new years frame the opening reflections and vigil, while winter's passing and spring growth accompany God's promise.
Tags
New Year · year-end vigil · Christian faith · prayer · mortality · renewal
What this Textopian page supports
Old and New Year Ditties is listed on Textopian as a poem by Christina Georgina Rossetti, dated Date unknown.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Christina Georgina Rossetti
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Devotional Poetry, Meditative Poetry, Seasonal Poetry
- Length: 711 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Old and New Year Ditties by Christina Georgina Rossetti
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