New Year's Day
The poem explores the theme of lost love and nostalgia on New Year's Day. The speaker reflects on past memories with a former lover, now gone, and contrasts their current loneliness with the joy and festivities surrounding them. The poem expresses a sense of longing and melancholy, as the speaker struggles to come to terms with the loss.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1889 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Inspirational · 366 words
First lines
When with clanging and with ringing Comes the year's initial day, I can feel the rhythmic swinging Of the world upon its way; And though Right still wears a fetter, And though Justice still is blind, Time's beyond is always better Than the paths he leaves behind.
In our eons of existence, As we circle through the night, We annihilate the distance 'Twixt the darkness and the light. From beginnings crude and lowly, Round and round our souls have trod Through the circles, winding slowly Up to knowledge and to God.
What this Textopian page supports
New Year's Day is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1889 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1889 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Inspirational, Religious, Historical
- Length: 366 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for New Year's Day by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering New Year's Day?
- How does this poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Saddest Hour by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- My Heaven by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Greater Love by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Deceitful Calm by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Little White Hearse by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- As By Fire by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality.
- Philosophical — The themes explore deep questions about existence, progress, and the human condition.
- Inspirational — The content aims to uplift and inspire hope in the reader.
- Religious — References to God and spiritual progress are present throughout the text.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Early 20th Century · New Year's Day · Reflection · Hope · Renewal · Love · Loss · Grief · Mourning · Memories