THIS YEAR THAT COMES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 13, 16 January 1932, Page 15 (Supplement)

THIS YEAR THAT COMES

(John Flatten.) What of our times, as pass the fixed dimensions Of tides of setting sun and breaking dawn? What shall come forth; what fruit from our intentions Shall mellow to the hours yet unborn? Where lies the gain from all the great achieving That spans the earth and pioneers in space? When men are reared-and-live-and-die perceiving That love of self controls the human race. Nature’s first law —A creed of bold parading; A two-edged sword that slays whom it defends. Its world-wide yoke humanity degradj A blind relaying where human foresight ends. As fire unto tow, the nations fretting; One family all, yet braced as foe to foeDiversified in mind save in forgetting To: “Do to others as ye’d have them do.” All selfless goals must form that grand uniting, And to this end humanity is nigh When warring factious read the simple writing Each starry night inscribes athwart the sky. And there shall dawn—all human aims concurring— A gracious .ight upon Creation’s plan When hatreds cease; when nations stand preferring The ideal state: A Brotherhood of Man.