The Toast Poem by Virna Sheard

A toast to thee, 0 dear old year,
While the last moments fly,
A toast to thy sweet memory--
We'll lift the glasses high,
And bid to thee a fond farewell
As thou art passing by!

A toast to those who reaped success
In this good year of grace;
A toast to every one of them--
Come! Give the victors place!
Come, wish them well with right good will--
The winners in the race!

And one toast more! To those who failed
Wherever they may be;--
With faces white they fought the fight,
But missed the victory;
So here's to them--the ones who strove--
On land and on the sea!

Fair dreams to thee, 0 grey old year,
Thy working time is done,
And gone for thee the silver moon,
And golden noon-day sun;
Yet sad old year--and glad old year--
We'll know no better one.