It's New Year's Eve and I had been out on the back porch, looking at the sparkling stars before they are hidden behind wintry clouds, listening to the wind blowing through the trees, feeling the cold on my face, waiting for the dusting of snow that is on its way tomorrow, or so they say. I came back in to the warmth of my home, to drink a cup of hot tea, and to look through some of the old 1800s books that I have in my collection ~ just enjoying the night ~ waiting for the New Year. While sitting here, I happened upon this poem in a book from 1853.
Thoughts at Midnight
The midnight winds are breathing now
A soft and gentle pray’r,
That floats like angel whisperings
Upon the silent air;
And flow’rs are weeping dewy tears,
And stars smile down in glee;
And now my thoughts will fondly turn
To thee, dear one --- to thee!
Earth’s weary ones now rest in peace,
And calmly, sweetly sleep;
While o’er the orphan angels bend,
And holy vigils keep:
The world is purer, better now,
And oh! I feel its pow’r
Steal o’er my heart in the deep hush
Of this calm, gentle hour.
Ah! wither do thy thoughts now roam?
Doest gaze on that fair star,
That twinkles in its azure home,
And think of one afar
Do straying zephyrs waft to thee
A whisper’d word or tone,
That thrills thy heart with gentle dreams,
And music, all its own?
But midnight o’er the sleeping world,
Hath toll’d its iron bell,
And thou, perchance, art resting too,
Beneath its holy spell:
Oh! may thy dreams be pure and sweet,
With innocence and glee;
While I bow down beneath the stars,
And breathe a pray’r for thee.
The midnight winds are breathing now
A soft and gentle pray’r,
That floats like angel whisperings
Upon the silent air;
And flow’rs are weeping dewy tears,
And stars smile down in glee;
And now my thoughts will fondly turn
To thee, dear one --- to thee!
Earth’s weary ones now rest in peace,
And calmly, sweetly sleep;
While o’er the orphan angels bend,
And holy vigils keep:
The world is purer, better now,
And oh! I feel its pow’r
Steal o’er my heart in the deep hush
Of this calm, gentle hour.
Ah! wither do thy thoughts now roam?
Doest gaze on that fair star,
That twinkles in its azure home,
And think of one afar
Do straying zephyrs waft to thee
A whisper’d word or tone,
That thrills thy heart with gentle dreams,
And music, all its own?
But midnight o’er the sleeping world,
Hath toll’d its iron bell,
And thou, perchance, art resting too,
Beneath its holy spell:
Oh! may thy dreams be pure and sweet,
With innocence and glee;
While I bow down beneath the stars,
And breathe a pray’r for thee.
by Clarence May ca.1853
While the entire poem is beautiful, the last 2 lines stayed in my thoughts:
"While I bow down beneath the stars,
And breathe a pray’r for thee."
Tonight, while out on the back porch, in the night air, before I came in the house and read this poem, I was thinking of all the wonderful, kind, thoughtful, gracious, caring, selfless, inspiring, loving souls that I have met over the past year. And while I stood out there alone, I thanked God for all of you. I thanked Him for sending someone to touch my life and my heart, especially during this past year. You may have become a dear, sweet friend, or you may have only passed by once and left a kind comment on my blog or by email. Whether I met you in person or online, I am so thankful for your friendship, your kind comments, your words of encouragement.
God Bless
&
Happy New Year!
Lana
of
Honeysuckle Lane
~*~
Lana, I've missed you...I've been checking every day and you've not been posting. I hope you had a good Christmas and have just been busy doing other things!!!
ReplyDeleteWishing you so much joy, happiness, health and love this year, each and every day...and inspiration..all in abundance!!
xo
Sherry...who loved the poem. Very appropriate!
Thank you Lana for paying me a visit tonite. Your poem at midnight was " perfect"!
ReplyDeleteWishing you the biggest star in the sky for 2008! :)
Jo-Anne Coletti
Oh Lana, I feel exactly the same way! I've made so many precious friends this past year....across the miles we are all sweet friends ~ it really is quite a wonderful thing isn't it? Wishing you a wonderful New Year, xxoo, Dawn
ReplyDeleteThanks for offering such a lovely and thoughtful post tonight!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Lana!!
ReplyDeleteHope this new year brings many blessings!!
Lana: what a beautiful poem. Happy New Years and many many blessings throughout the year to you and yours, Theresa
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteSandra Evertson
That poem is amazingly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Lana!
Pat
Wonderful...wonderful...we loved the poem!
ReplyDeleteWe just wanted to stop by and give you the warmest wishes of the season! Hope you have a wonderful and prosperous 2008!
smiles, kari and kijsa
Beautiful photo and poem Lana....happiest of New Year to you and your family. I'm so glad we've met....Big Hugs Lucy.
ReplyDeleteEthel
Lana, I loved the poem :) Happy New Year to you and yours !!!
ReplyDeleteAngie
What a lovely poem and what a generous and beautiful wish for each of us. Thank you, sweet, Lana.
ReplyDeleteChristine
Happy New Year, Lana:)!!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you!!
Huggles and Snuggles Lana my friend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem, so perfect for the New Year. I sure am enjoying your posts and will certainly be back again soon! Just lovely!
ReplyDelete