Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NEW YEAR'S DAY - AND EVERY DAY by WILLIAM ARTHUR DUNKERLEY

First Line: EACH MAN IS CAPTAIN OF HIS SOUL
Last Line: AND HE WILL BRING US THROUGH.
Subject(s): RELIGION; THEOLOGY;
@3Each man is Captain of his Soul,
And each man his own Crew,
But the Pilot knows the Unknown Seas,
And He will bring us through.@1

We break new seas to-day, --
Our eager keels quest unaccustomed waters,
And, from the vast uncharted waste in front,
The mystic circles leap
To greet our prows with mightiest possibilities;
Bringing us -- what?
-- Dread shoals and shifting banks?
-- And calms and storms?
-- And clouds and biting gales?
-- And wreck and loss?
-- And valiant fighting-times?
And, maybe, Death! -- and so, the Larger Life!

@3For should the Pilot deem it best
To cut the voyage short,
He sees beyond the sky-line, and
He'll bring us into Port.@1

And, maybe, Life -- Life on a bounding tide
And chance of glorious deeds; --
Of help swift-borne to drowning mariners;
Of cheer to ships dismasted in the gale;
Of succours given unasked and joyfully;
Of mighty service to all needy souls.

@3So -- Ho for the Pilot's orders,
Whatever course He makes!
For He sees beyond the sky-line,
And He never makes mistakes.@1

And, maybe, Golden Days,
Full freighted with delight!
-- And wide free seas of unimagined bliss,
-- And Treasure Isles, and Kingdoms to be won,
-- And Undiscovered Countries, and New Kin.

@3For each man captains his own Soul,
And chooses his own Crew,
But the Pilot knows the Unknown Seas,
And He will bring us through.@1



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