A Poem for the Year
A poetic reflection on the New Year’s blessings, seasons, and gratitude.
Updated December 10, 2025, by Catherine Pulsifer
Nathaniel Parker Willis’s poem, The New Year, beautifully captures the rhythm of the seasons and the blessings they bring. Through vivid imagery, the poet reflects on the passing year, highlighting moments of joy, gratitude, and God’s provision. From the gentle renewal of spring to the stillness of winter, Willis reminds us to pause and recognize the divine hand in every season. This poem is a timeless reflection on nature’s beauty and the abundant gifts we often take for granted, encouraging us to enter the New Year with praise and thankfulness in our hearts.
A Poem for the Year
Poet: Nathaniel Parker Willis
Fleetly hath passed the year; the seasons came
Duly as they were wont — the gentle spring,
And the delicious summer, and the cool,
Rich autumn, with the nodding of the grain,
And winter, like an old and hoary man,
Frosty and stiff — and so are chronicled.
We have read gladness in the new green leaf,
And in the first-blown violets; we have drunk
Cool water from the rock, and in the shade
Sunk to the noontide slumber; we have lucked
The mellow fruitage of the bending tree,
And girded to our pleasant wanderings
When the cool winds came freshly from the hills;
And when the tinting of the autumn leaves
Had faded from its glory, we have sat
By the good fires of winter, and rejoiced
Over the fulness of the gathered sheaf.
"God hath been very good." 'Tis he whose hand
Molded the sunny hills and hollowed out
The shelter of the valleys, and doth keep
The fountains in their secret places cool;
And it is he who leadeth up the sun,
And ordereth the starry influences,
And tempereth the keenness of the frost;
And, therefore, in the plenty of the feast,
And in the lifting of the cup, let him
Have praises for the well-completed year.
Key Points in this poem:
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The Beauty and Rhythm of the Seasons
The poem gracefully takes us through the progression of the year, painting vivid pictures of spring’s renewal, summer’s warmth, autumn’s harvest, and winter’s calm. Each season is celebrated for its unique contributions, reminding us of the beauty and purpose in nature’s design.
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Gratitude for God’s Blessings
Willis underscores the importance of acknowledging God’s role in the blessings of the year, from the nourishment of the earth to the order of the heavens. By focusing on divine provision, the poem encourages us to maintain a spirit of thankfulness for life’s abundance.
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Reflection and Celebration
As the year draws to a close, the poem invites us to reflect on the joys and life lessons of the past twelve months. It calls for a celebratory spirit, lifting our hearts in praise for a well-lived year and looking forward with hope and gratitude.
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Conclusion
As we look back on the year that has passed, this poem reminds us how each season carries gifts that shape our lives. From spring’s first blossoms to winter’s quiet rest, God’s goodness has been present in every moment. Willis’s words encourage us to pause, give thanks, and recognize how much we have received. As you step into the New Year, may your heart be lifted with gratitude and your spirit strengthened with hope, knowing that God will guide the days ahead just as faithfully as He has guided those now behind us.
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