The New Year Ledger
I said one year ago,
“I wonder, if I truly kept
A list of days when life burnt low,
Of days I smiled and days I wept,
If good or bad would highest mount
When I made up the year’s account?”
I took a ledger fair and fine,
“And now,” I said, “when days are glad,
I’ll write with bright red ink the line,
And write with black when they are bad,
So that they’ll stand before my sight
As clear apart as day and night.
I will not heed the changing skies,
Nor if it shine nor if it rain;
But if there comes some sweet surprise,
Or friendship, love or honest gain,
Why, then it shall be understood
That day is written down as good.
When hands and brain stand labor’s test,
And I can do the thing I would
Those days when I am at my best
Shall all be traced as very good.
And in red letters, too, I’ll write
Those rare, strong hours when right is might.
And when pure, holy thoughts have power
To touch my heart and dim my eyes,
And I in some diviner hour
Can hold sweet converse with the skies,
Ah! then my soul may safely write:
“This day has been most good and bright!”
What do I see on looking back?
A red-lined book before me lies,
With here and there a thread of black,
That like a gloomy shadow flies,—
A shadow it must be confessed,
That often rose in my own breast.
And I have found it good to note
The blessing that is mine each day;
For happiness is vainly sought
In some dim future far away.
Just try my ledger for a year,
Then look with grateful wonder back,
And you will find, there is no fear,
The red days far exceed the black.
—Amelia E. Barr.
Alternate Reading: Matthew 21: 12-17.